ID Creative Solutions: web design

Web design

If you're reading this, you're probably contemplating having a website. If you've never had one before, it's quite likely that you find much of it mystifying and you don't know where to start.

What are the options?

I work closely with expert associates offering a range of web solutions. We are committed to helping you to make the right decisions and get a website that suits your needs and budget with the minimum of problems and expense.

We will help you to avoid disappointment and frustration by discussing the options, explaining the bits you don't understand and supporting you throughout the process. Some of the ways we can help you:

determining the size and type of website that will suit your needs
purchasing domain names
designing the look of the site consistent with your branding
writing web-optimised copy
building and hosting
adding functionality eg: ecommerce, log-ins, appointment systems, search engine registration, message boards, email templates etc
internet marketing consultancy.

Promoting your website

There is no point in having a website if you don't direct people to it. You might just as well pay for leaflets to be printed and then leave them in the box. Maintaining and promoting your website needs to be part of your overall marketing plan. Producing a regular eNewsletter is one way of generating interest in your website and we will be happy to discuss this with you.

Scroll down for a useful checklist to help you get the ball rolling.

Preparing for a website

You would be surprised how many people contact a web-builder before they've done any preparation at all. Builders do their best, but the result is often a website that doesn't effectively promote the business, isn't properly structured and may end up costing much more than expected. Consider the following questions before you talk to a designer or web-builder:

are you absolutely sure you need a website? It is amazing how many people have a website that doesn't generate business and is a waste of money
have you decided on your approximate budget? There is no point going for a complex site if your budget is modest
have you purchased a domain name or do you need help with that?
do you require a web-hosting package?
do you have a logo or branding guide for your business? If not, you will need those first or your website simply won't reflect your unique identity
have you identified the words that your target customer will enter in their searches?
have you done any research looking at your competitors' websites? Have you made a note of websites you admire?
will you need eCommerce functionality at some point down the line, even if you don't need it straight away?
what is the minimum number of pages you require? Make notes on the content of your website and then make a rough plan of the structure
do you have photos and graphics to go on the website? Are they good enough? Do you need to hire a photographer or do some picture research?
have you got any written information about your business? About you? About your customers? If not, do you require the help of a copywriter?

Useful points

Web design concerns the look and structure of the site, ie the layout of the pages, choice of colours and graphics and how the pages link together. Web building involves the technical construction, using HTML and special software.

Unlike printed materials, the beauty of a website is that the content can be changed and updated. If you intend to make regular amendments, make sure you understand what the costs are going to be in the future. Ask if there are ways that you can make the changes yourself.

Examples of website designs. My input varies from banner design and colour suggestions, to a full layout design.