Various organizations with different forms of activities have already created, are creating, or are planning to order their own websites. Nowadays, everyone realizes the importance and possibilities of the internet. The internet assists in promoting and developing businesses.
Правда, не каждая организация знает, как правильно использовать этот мощный ресурс. Зачем нужен сайт? Что на сайте необходимо разместить? Как сделать сайт? Что с ним делать? Сколько это всё будет стоить? Эти и многие другие вопросы задаёт себе каждый будущий владелец сайта.
Проанализировав самые распространённые ошибки, которые совершают как Заказчики, так и исполнители, мы решили подготовить 10 советов для Заказчика.
Advice 1:
You need to determine the purpose and the reason why you need a website.
You need to decide on the direction. The following are the most common expectations from a corporate website:
- Company presentation;
- Comprehensive reflection of the company's activities;
- Publication of the latest news;
- Finding new customers and partners;
- Technical support for clients;
- Information support for clients;
- Receiving orders;
- Feedback;
- Other goals and services.
By having clear objectives, you can save on time, labor, and financial resources. A clearer understanding also contributes to increased efficiency in work.
Advice 2:
Don't attempt to create a corporate website on your own.
Many managers are tempted to save costs and decide to create a website on their own. There is plenty of advice available on the internet. However, the results may not turn out as expected. Later on, when you calculate the expenses, you realize that you have wasted time and money. In reality, it's simple: creating a website requires specialists in each field - designer, developer, programmer, content manager, and others.
The work of each expert is closely connected to others. Creating a website is a team effort. The work of each specialist is intertwined with their colleagues. If even one person is absent, the work of the entire team collapses.
Advice 3:
Technical dilettantes.
Just because a person spends a lot of time on a computer does not mean that they understand websites and can create them well. Often, such "specialists" offer their services at a very low cost. Low cost corresponds to low quality. Then, relatives who have some knowledge get involved in the work.
As a result, the costs increase, time passes, and the quality deteriorates. Only in the case when someone's relative is the director of an Internet studio, you can entrust them with the work on your website. After all, the website is the face of the company and it should be impeccable.
Advice 4:
Website sections and subsections
Before starting the website creation process, it is necessary to come up with, plan, and document all the sections and subsections. No one knows the specifics of your business better than you. You know the advantages of different positions and how to attract and engage customers. It is better to highlight more significant positions. Information that is less in demand can be placed on internal pages of the website.
To facilitate this task, it is best to use a "tree" system. The sections of the website are branches, and the specific information is represented by leaves. The tree structure is considered the most common for website creation and development. It helps to have a clear understanding of the client's desires and requirements. This system greatly simplifies the work of a web studio. With the tree structure, the company will be able to:
- Consider all the key aspects of information presentation;
- Develop a user-friendly and clear website navigation;
- Estimate the cost of each stage of the work.
Advice 5:
Include all your ideas in the Technical Specification (TS)
Try to write the technical specification in a free form. Simply put all your ideas on paper. You don't need to describe all the technical nuances. Just write down how you envision:
- The goal of your future website;
- Design (your preferences and desires);
- Website navigation;
- Content;
- Interactive elements (whether they should be included or not);
- Approximate timelines for the work.
The final version of the Technical Specification is developed and signed together with the contractor. When the client has a clear vision of the future website and documents all their desires and expectations, it facilitates the work of the specialists. The Technical Specification serves as a guide for action.
Advice 6:
Finding a good web studio
Find a good and responsible web studio. The main task is to search for a good web studio. There are many different firms and companies that offer website creation services, but each of them has its own nuances. How can you distinguish a professional studio from an amateur one? It's quite simple – you need to visit their office and clarify certain points:
- Do they provide an official contract?
- Is payment possible through bank transfer?
- Can the studio provide all the necessary accounting documents?
- Where does the studio showcase their completed projects?
- How does the studio support projects?
- Do they handle domain name registration?
- What is the workflow process for a new project?
- Is there a clear division of responsibilities within the studio?
Be cautious if you notice the following:
- Refusal to approve a preliminary Technical Specification (TS);
- Absence of relevant websites in their Portfolio and lack of the required level of expertise;
- Pricing that is significantly lower than the average market rate.
You can confidently place an order with a studio where you see a match between the designer's style (based on the Portfolio) and your own preferences. Additionally, if the studio is flexible, highly competent, and you find that your thoughts align when communicating with their representatives.
Advice 7:
Joint determination of project stages and timelines
The project stages and timelines can be documented in both the contract and the Technical Specification (TS). These actions provide the most accurate guarantees for meeting the project requirements. It is essential to sign the Technical Specification together with the contractors.
Advice 8:
Collaboration with the designer
Look for websites that you like and dislike. Show these websites to the designer and explain what you like and dislike about them. Try to express your ideas, tastes, and preferences from the beginning; don't leave it for later. You will articulate your ideas, and we will refine them, discuss them together, and improve each step. If desires, feedback, and suggestions are documented in written form, this approach ensures a much more precise execution.
Advice 9:
The website should be modifiable from the start
After some time, you will inevitably need to add new sections, options, or pages to your website. This needs to be considered and discussed in advance because not every website is easily modifiable.
Advice 10:
Testing
The completed website must be thoroughly tested. A website that has just been launched cannot have perfect functionality from the start. Ask the studio to upload the site to an unknown domain and test its functionality and responsiveness. Test every button, every feature, every transition – everything, everything, everything. You can involve acquaintances with a fresh perspective in this process. If you discover any discrepancies, note them down and share them with the developer later. After making the necessary changes and addressing all the issues, conduct a retest. Only after this step can you launch the final version of the website on the internet and celebrate – your own corporate website is up and running!
