How to Create a Website

Jun 04 2014

A killer website can be a great reflection of who you are as a business. Before entering the intimidating world of the web, we’ve collected a rundown of what to expect.

Cost

You must be comfortable investing time and money into your web presence up front. Take the time to become familiar with all the components that go into creating a website. A website requires more than just a domain name. There are different components that come together to make your site function and work. Researching and making sure you have the time and money to invest will leave you more prepared in the long run.

Here’s a breakdown of basic pricing:

Know What You Are Paying For

This estimate includes the basics, but just like anything else, a website can go beyond the nuts and bolts. Features such as social media channels, optimized SEO, and e-commerce can be added to create a site with all the bells and whistles. Be aware that these features are usually not factored into a basic price. Discuss with your designer about the features you want before you get an estimate calculated.

Time Frame

In the business world, time is money. Much like cost, variable factors can play a role in how many hours it will take to create your ideal website. Plan to set a time frame with your designer before they start working to make sure expectations are clear. A basic informational site may take any where from 4-6 weeks from design to completion. A more advanced site can take around 3-6 months.

Planning

If you don’t know what you want from your website, it will most definitely take your designer longer to create your site. Before you contact a designer, know specifically what you expect from the site. You don’t have to learn to code, that’s why you hired a designer. You do, however; need to familiarize yourself with the features and stylistic qualities that you want to save time and effort on your designer’s behalf.

Complexity

The amount of content and functionality in your site can drastically vary. Simple sites can include 5-7 pages of basic informational content with stock photography. A more complex site may have 30-40 pages and have image sliders, and a check out page. You can also have a site that users create an account and log into. The possibilities are virtually endless. You should determine how complex or simple of a site you will need. This should be based on your audience and the purpose this site will serve.

Design

When it comes to design, there are many different routes you can take. If you’re uncomfortable with HTML, hiring a designer may be your best bet. They will take care of all the tricky work for you and give you a design you can be proud of. Consider the needs of your business before deciding which route is best for you.

Templates

Pre-designed templates allow you to add images and content without the stress of coding. A variety of styles and changes in color schemes and fonts can help create a unique design. For font you can use google font, it’s provide thousand plus free fonts. If you’re looking to save time, a template may be a good solution. When you’re choosing a web template, make sure that it includes all the functions you want because templates do vary.

Coding

If you’re looking for a completely customized website, then coding may be the right choice for you. Coding will give you a site that can adapt to all your needs and leave you with the potential to expand in the future. If you’re not comfortable with HTML request a site with a content management system that will make inserting content easier. The most popular CMS is WordPress.

Content

Design and content go hand in hand when creating a successful website. Take some time to determine the information you want to include in your copy. No one knows your business better than you, so writing the copy yourself may be the ideal option. Clear and concise copy is key. If you’re feeling unsure about how to convey that perfect message, hiring a copywriter is also an option. They will write and edit your copy in a tone that best fits your business.

It’s important to understand all the elements that go into a successful web design. This will ensure that your website promotes your business in the best way possible.

Still have questions? Contact us for more information on how to create your website!

-Stay Creative

How to Create a Website