In order to maintain a cost effective approach, a few suggestions can be followed as well as understanding the following core components of a website. Below are listed some vital questions to understand when venturing into website design.
How do I get started building a website?
What is a domain name?
What is web hosting?
What types of sites can you build?
What is flash media?
What is a shopping cart?
What is a merchant account?
How do I change the information on my site?
How do I get started building a website?
The steps to building a website are not a recipe. There are many ways to achieve your end result. In no particular order, here are some words of advice.
1. Write your own content for the site. No one knows your business better than you. Provide well-written content, do not stress over whether it is flowery or full of Shakespearean references. Simply write what you know and make it very detailed.
2. Find websites that have the look and feel you want. Do not plagiarize but educate yourself on what you like or do not like.
3. Be sure that the theme of the website matches the purpose of the actual website.
4. Map out your website. Determine what titles, services or products you will include. Additionally, suggested areas to focus: Home page, About Us, Contact forms, etc… Deciding how your site will look and function can help to limit the number of revisions at the end, thus saving you money.
5. Acquire your own graphics or images for the site. Having your own pictures or images, reduces the cost of the site. It can drive up the price of your website if you have a designer get you the graphics.
6. Find a designer you trust, not necessarily the least expensive. Remember: you get what you pay for in life. Research and find someone you trust that can work within your budget.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is your website's name combined with a domain (like .com, .net, .org, .biz). A domain name is purchased from an Internet domain provider. These providers are compliant with ICAN (basically an internet governing body). When you have a name for your website, you purchase the name based on its availability. The cost of a domain name is extremely cheap.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a concept that is very simple yet remains a frequently asked question. Each website that is created can be considered a piece of real estate. Instead of being out in cyberspace, the actual site is saved and remains on a server. Servers are located throughout the world, in a specific country, state, county and zip code. When you create a site, you need to have a web hosting company house your site on their server. Web hosting prices are relatively inexpensive, but the pricing can move up slightly depending on how much memory you want to have to available for your site. Additionally, be sure to understand that you get what you pay for. Web hosting quality is directly related to their reliability in keeping your site online and secure.
What types of sites can you build?
Websites are being built for every conceivable reason. For the sake of compromising on middle ground, and being able to speak the same language, we use three types of categories.
Professional
Professional sites are informational sites that are used to give a business, organization or person an online presence. Informational sites are used to provide visitors to the site more specific detail about the featured owner(s). Typical Professional sites have a navigation bar with control buttons to the following types of pages: Home, About Us, Services, Products and Contact Us. Obviously, these can be changed to fit any type of relevancy needed. The point being that the visitor can point, click and learn more about the purpose for the site.
Multi-media
Multi-media sites are visually appealing sites that incorporate flash, high resolution photographs, sound etc. This type of site is used to showcase the talent of the business, organization or person. Typically multi-media sites are used for the entertainment industry, photographers, event planning and any like and similar field. Multi-media sites are built based on high quality expectations not cost effectiveness. The price of this type of site escalates quickly based on the number of revisions and the time consuming nature of incorporating high end visuals.
E-commerce
E-commerce sites are used to give a business, organization or person the ability to sell products online. The products are listed on the site through the use of software that is integrated into the site. The shopping carts used for e-commerce sites differ based on price and functionality. Be sure that you consult a web designer who is experienced in e-commerce development to ensure you get a shopping cart that meets your needs.
What is flash media?
A multimedia package that allows the user to create animation, images and short graphical films for a website. Flash can bring your website to life and create a more entertaining experience for the visitor. Visually, Flash can provide a website with a look that sets the site above the others. Flash is recommended for fan sites and informational sites, however it is not recommended for sites that seek SEO performance.
What is a shopping cart?
A shopping cart is a type of service that allows a visitor to your site to purchase products. Shopping carts are typically, software that is integrated with a website, that allows products to be listed within the site. The products are incorporated into the pages of the site and can be viewed by clicking on links. After products have been selected, the customer can checkout, and purchase the intended items. Shopping cart solutions can come in different formats. Online businesses that want to sell a variety of products, have the ability to change and update promotions and specials, or update new stock, will want an advanced shopping cart. These types of shopping carts are more expensive but provide the best functionality. Website that sells only one product at a fixed price can relay on inexpensive solutions. The use of an online shopping cart hosted by a web-hosting firm can be an efficient alternative. A shopping cart that utilizes a simple Paypal account may be a more suitable method. Ask your e-commerce website designer what type of shopping cart, you will need.
What is a merchant account?
A merchant account allows an online business to process credit card sales and have those funds deposited directly into a Merchants local business checking account. In order to get an account, you must contact a Merchant account provider. Banks that are registered with Visa and Mastercard among others usually outsource MSP's. This provider will be able to give you an account at a fair rate. Nothing in life is free, therefore each time you make a sale on your site, a small percentage is paid to the MSP for creating the account.
How do I change the information on my site?
A content management system is a program that allows the website owner to update the website. The ability to adjust the information on your site allows a website to remain relevant to the visitors that will benefit from what the site has to offer. A content management system is designed to allow a novice-experienced user, to make changes to promote efficiency and maximize the function for which the site was designed. The level at which a content management system can edit the site depends on the types of changes made. For a novice user, a basic content management program will be cost efficient and easy to use. For the advanced, a more expensive content management system will allow the most efficient and far reaching alterations.
