The most challenging part of building a Web site is not so much the nuts and bolts of development; it's the planning and conceptualization. Before any actual designing and development can take place, we need to define your Web site's main purpose, what message you wish to convey, and how this message will be conveyed.

Below you will find some suggestions that will help you help us determine the best and most cost-effective strategy to achieve your business goals and create a unique online presence that can drive your business to the next level.

What kind of website would best fit your company’s needs? (Static vs Dynamic)

A static website is also called a Classic website, a 5-page website or a Brochure website because it simply presents pre-defined information to the user. It may include information about a company and its products and services via text, photos, Flash animation, audio/video and interactive menus and navigation. This type of website usually displays the same information to all visitors, thus the information is static. Similar to handing out a printed brochure to customers or clients, a static website will generally provide consistent, standard information for an extended period of time. A Static web site is an excellent option for establishing your online presence quickly and cost-effectively. However, keep in mind that making updates or changing content does require basic website design skills and software.

A Dynamic Website is database-driven. A Dynamic-content Web site, while still developed by professionals, can be maintained directly by you, our customer. If you plan to make frequent changes to your site, you most likely will be better off with a dynamic web site. Examples of Dynamic Web Sites are Content Management Systems (CMS), Virtual Learning Environments (VLE), Blogs and Wiki’s. Core elements of CMS software packages include user log in, secure areas and site search functions. Our designers are experienced in many of the popular Open Source Software available today. One of our favorites is Joomla!. With numerous components, modules and plug-in's available, Joomla! can greatly enhance your site and increase interactivity with your audience.

Do you need a logo design? Is your current logo memorable and effective?

A well-designed logo and an identity system can put you far above the competition, especially when paired with a strong marketing program like the launch of a new web site. A professionally-designed logo shows that you are committed to both your business and to your clients.

Know Your Audience

You know your clientele better than anyone. So who is this group of people who you expect to visit your web site? This is a far more important question than it appears on the surface, as it will define and guide us through just about every other phase of your web site implementation. The question of "who" will determine how we write, which photos/graphics we include, and what other technologies are needed.

Explore the Internet

Look at a lot of sites. Start with businesses that may be similar to yours then branch out. Make lists of content, features, and design elements you like and don’t like. Look at things like the location of the site navigation, color schemes, and flash animations. Involve employees and colleagues. Bookmark a list of favorites as models.

Content

Do you currently have good descriptive written content about your business? If so, make sure to have it available. If not, who is most qualified to work with our designers in drafting the textual content of your site?