Developing Your Website

Tell anyone that you’re in business today and the next question they’ll ask you is “what’s your website address?” The Internet has changed and will continue to change the way we do business in the world today. It is considered to be more powerful than television and the telephone put together. Maybe it’s because it allows anyone with Internet access to communicate with one another throughout the world in a matter of seconds. Maybe it’s because it allows even the smallest business to have a professional presence that can compete with style and flair with the largest of companies without breaking the bank!

Yes, in today’s world of business having a website and claiming your presence on the Internet is not an option; it has become just as important as having a business telephone number or business card.

It’s All In the Plan
One of the most important phases of website development is the planning phase. This is where it all happens. From purchasing your domain name (website address and identifier), choosing and writing your content to designing your layout and navigation system you must have patience, commitment and structure when planning your site.

A web designer can guide you in the right direction towards planning your website, but putting it all together and designing the site should not be done until all of the content has been developed by your company.

The information below will help you to gather your thoughts and start an organized process of developing a plan for your website:

Step #1 - Select Your Domain Name
If you haven’t already, securing your domain name is most important. The name you want may be taken if you wait until your website is completed.

A great place to purchase your domains is www.GoDaddy.com. They have fast service and domains cost approximately $10.00 or less.
Step #2 - Review Other Websites In Your Industry
Review other company websites in your industry is a great way to get your ideas flowing about how you would like to layout your website. While you can’t use another company’s content word for word, you can use layout ideas such as how the menu bar is on top or to the left and how their navigation system (how you move and click through the website) works. The most important thing when reviewing other sites is to determine who has a user-friendly and eye appealing site that is not over crowed with graphics and doesn’t slow down your system.