website design considerations

Do you need a domain or web hosting?

If you do not have one already, the first step is to secure a domain name. The process is simple, go to one of the many registrars on-line, such as NetworkSolutions.com. They have an area on the home page where you can see if a domain name is available or not. Sullivan + Wolf Design can help you through the process and in deciding what names may be better than others. It’s important that you save all the info they send you. Also important is that you are an Administrative contact. Many web firms try to make life easier for you by registering the domain name for you. Yet, if you ever need to switch design teams, this can create an issue. Always be in control.

Once you have a domain, you will need a “web host”. A web host will provide you with computer space for your web site. They will also provide you with e-mail. Again, we’re here to help you and can recommend a web host based on your needs. Sullivan + Wolf Design does not provide hosting ourselves. It is a specialized field and it is important to not host with the design team. Say, if they go out of business or stop answering your calls? We see this happen every year.

What pages will there be?

Before we can estimate your project, we will need a site map from you. We can hired to work with you to develop a site map and functionality list. But to go about it yourself, you will want to first think about the different types of viewers that your website will service. Potential new customers, existing customers, vendors, job seekers, investors, etc. Make a list for each one indicating what they need. Role playing is important. Put yourself in their seat and think about it. Review competitors and see what they have. Are there any special tools like calculators needed. Once you have your lists, review them and look for common items. Then place them into groups where possible. Common groups, or areas are About the company, products, services, support, contact, articles, and solutions. We recommend using MS Word in outline to construct your website’s sitemap. It may look like this;

Home

About Us

History
Management Team
Testimonials

Awards

Products

Product 1
Product 2

Services

Service 1
Service 2

Support

FAQs
Knowledge Base
Contact Support

Contact

Directions

The main purpose behind a site map is to identify what pages need to be built. Not what content will be on the page. If you wish to put comments on what needs to be on the page, identify it somehow like making it regular italic type, maybe in gray.

If a page is to have a special functionality, such as password protected, a form, calculator, etc. we DO need to know that up-front.

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