Here are ten steps to make it easier for you.

Firstly take out a pen and a few sheets of paper.

• Why do you want a website?
  
• What do you want the website to achieve for you?
  

Write it down.

As you move through the process you may want to return and modify your original thoughts.

(Much better to do it now, than during the design process itself.)

2. What type of site will you require?

Will your website be informational (like an online brochure) or will you be selling products online (e-commerce)?

3. What is your budget?

Be realistic. This will determine how much time you can afford to have someone design, optimise and market your site.

4. Think about the content.

• Are you able to adapt it from material you already have written?
• Will it have to be created from scratch?
• If so, who will create it?
• How much content do you have?
• How many products/services do you want the site to contain?

ie. How many pages will the site need to properly showcase all you are offering?

• Do you have appropriate images to use?
• If not, how will you obtain them?

5. What will the focus of your website be?

Why do your current customers buy from you - what do you do better or differently? How do you want your website to attract new buyers?

6. Who are your three main online competitors?.

Write down there web addresses. Think about how you would do better than what they are doing online. Write down your thoughts.

7. Write down your three favorite websites.

Why do you like these designs? Why do you think they will most effectively market your products/services?

8. Write down how you intend marketing your website.

Creating a website is only part of the equation - make no mistake. The best website under the sun is useless unless adequate people can find it, and are visting it in sufficient numbers.

9. Will you do your own SEO? (Search Engine Optimisation)

• Do you know how?
• If not, who will do it for you?

SEO, or getting your site to appear close to the top in search results, is often the most time-consuming aspect of web design process.

10. Put your pen and paper down for a day or two.

Think about it, and come back to it. Write down any changes, new ideas or questions you have.

When you have gone through this process you will be in a position to converse with a designer in a meaningful way. We have a more in-depth questionnaire to help you further clarify what you need. Once we analyse these details we can summarize your needs and give you an estimate of what your site will cost.