Webs Sites: Who Does What and Planning Steps

Every industry or field has special language and terminology. So, if you don’t work in the field, it’s often difficult to get your needs across to the experts and professionals that you hire. This happens frequently when a business is working to put up a new web site or modify an existing one.

Web developer - takes the work from the designer and creates the coding that will be used on the Internet to get your site up. This person will often help with coming up with the navigation structure and functions needed for the site such as shopping carts or forms. If this is a web development company rather than an individual, the development company may have designers on staff so that both design and development can be done in one place.

Web hosting companies - physically stores and delivers your web content to users over the Internet. These services are paid for on a monthly or annual basis. This company does not design or develop web sites. However, some web developers offer hosting services for their clients.

Web copywriter - this person puts together the content for your web site. All the product and service descriptions, offers, and other material on your web site are written by the copywriter. This person usually doesn’t work for the web developer or designer and can come from within your company, from an advertising or marketing firm, or be an independent freelancer. Some web developers have established working relationships with freelance copywriters to be sure that their clients have effective content to post on their web site.

A web developer is the often outsourced activity when businesses are working on a web site. Some developers provide hosting and design services or have relationships in place with companies providing both of these services. So, finding a web developer first and discussing the needs for your site is often a good approach possibly saving you time researching sources for these services
How do you explain what you need to a web developer?

First, you need to think about how your site will be used. What purpose will the site serve for you? Then you need to think about communicating to your market. What do your customers or clients expect to see when looking for the products or services you provide? You can decide this by visiting your competition’s web sites. For example, if you visit several web sites and they all include video demonstrations, then that is probably something you need to seriously consider as well.

On the other hand, if you are providing a service, you likely don’t need video or flash on your site and a simple static web site that is easy to navigate and quick to download will likely be more effective for your business.

For design services, if you already have print marketing materials or signage designed, your web developer may be able to lift those images and put together a good looking site with little additional design assistance. If you are a new business or if you don’t have a bricks and mortar location, working with a graphic designer on your web site will give it a polished and professional feel. You will need a header, colors, and suggestions for other graphical elements such as styles of text boxes and font recommendations from the designer.

Whether you outsource your web copywriting or use someone within the company, involving them with the web developer while the site’s purpose, function, and navigation are discussed and determined is most effective. Providing the writer with any promotional materials you already use and access to key people in your company are critical to minimizing writing time and costs. Providing materials already in use also assure that your web site is consistent with your other marketing messages.

Another type of service you may be wondering about when working on your web site is search marketing or search engine optimization. Do you need a professional to provide these services? Probably not - or at least not right away.

Use this Web Site Development and Content Worksheet as you work on your web site. It will walk you through some of the process and questions you need to address when working on your web site. You’ll increase the likelihood of getting the site you need now and one that can grow as your business grows.