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Using a Checklist to Save Time & Money
By Karen Kratz

Some of us use checklists to be sure we have all we need before going on a trip or heading out to the grocery store. So, why not use a checklist to prepare for a web site? If you don’t think you need one, this may help change your mind – it might just save you time and money.

I’ve had many clients come into my office wanting a “really cool web site” right away. Then, when asked some simple questions such as how many pages they expect to have, what colors they’d like to use, domain name choices, etc., I get that deer-caught-in-the-headlights look. That’s when I know that I will have my work cut out for me.

Having an idea of what you want your web site to look like, what pages you will need and even having some page content prepared in advance will save time, and could possibly save money.

Below are some questions you should consider before contacting a designer:

What is the purpose of your site? Whatever the use your site will serve, you should know the purpose of your web site before planning the layout and design. Will you supply information, sell something, or advertise a service?

What do you want for your domain name? If you do not have a domain name registered, you should make a list of names that appeal to you. If you want a dot-com (.com) for a name, be prepared to get creative as a majority of common names are taken. As a rule of thumb you should try to find a name that has meaning for your business and is easy to remember. If you have a domain name registered, please note with whom and where it is currently located. Depending on where your site will be hosted, your designer may or may not need access to this information.

Do you have a logo? Do you have an existing company logo or trademark that you want used in your site design? If so, do you have the original graphic file on hand or a "slick" of the logo. If you have one, using your company logo to “brand” your site is essential and supplying the logo to your designer is very helpful. If you don’t have a logo, do you have an idea for one, and can your designer help you create it or will you have to hire someone else for this job?

What color scheme do you want for your site? Colors play an integral part in the look of a web site. However, too many colors can muddy the site and make it appear unpleasant. Using 2-4 colors for your color scheme is best. If your company already has specific colors they use, knowing the Pantone numbers (printer’s colors) or hexadecimal colors (for the Web), will help, but they are not absolutely necessary. When choosing colors, remember that colors and certain color combinations can have emotional impact on people. For instance, navy-blue and burgundy often inspire trust. Check out the Web for other colors and their meanings.

How many graphic images will you need? Many sites use existing photos or scanned images in digital format. These can be used to display products, company employees, etc. It is helpful to know how many images you may wish to use in your site.

How many web pages do you want? This question is often difficult to estimate. Think of your site in outline form. You should start with main menu items and work your way down. This way you can get an idea of how many pages the entire web site will need. You will definitely need a home page, and after that it is a good idea to have a contact page so users will know how to get in touch with you. An “About Us” page is a good idea too, but not always necessary. How many pages will you need to describe your products or services? Will you need forms, a shopping cart for users to purchase your products or a search feature? You can use some or all of these in your site, but knowing in advance what you want will again save some time.

Will you maintain the site yourself? Are there certain pages or components to your site that will require frequent updates (once a month or more), or will you only change things once in a while (a few times a year). Ask your designer what they charge for site maintenance. Can they build an administrative area for your site so that you can make some changes yourself or do you know enough HTML to make the changes to the files and then upload them to the server.

Answering this list of items will better prepare you for your first meeting with a designer and will certainly save you both time. This kind of pre-planning could save you money.

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