March 21, 2008 at 10:47How to avoid mistakes when ordering a site
In the comments on topic 7 critical errors when ordering a site, there were wishes to describe not only errors, but also ways to solve them. Let us leave aside the brief, project documentation and other important papers and try to make a kind of short checklist that will help to avoid major mistakes when ordering the site. Each time you have doubts that the process is going as it should, once again give yourself the answers to all of the following questions.
1) Why are we making a website?Before starting work, the most important task that you set for the site should be formulated. It must be one task, it must be concrete and measurable. For example, I plan to increase sales of goods by 25% using the site. Or, I need a resource on which the list of our services is clearly described and there is detailed contact information with the location map. Or, using the site, I plan to interact with regular customers, providing their online support, answering their questions, laying out the necessary documentation and manuals. All other tasks may also be present, but do not forget the rule “Remember the main thing”. In the process of setting the task and creating the site, it is important to periodically check whether this, the most important task, is being solved. This will help to constructively discuss problems at all stages,
2) Do I trust the contractor? If you have decided on a web studio, learn to listen to their advice and trust their recommendations. Most often, the studio is sincerely interested in making a really high-quality project for you, especially if you clearly set the task. To find fault with trifles, to impose your opinion on technical and creative issues is not your task when developing a site.
3) Does the design solve the main task set for the site?Before starting work on a site, its main task must be formulated, examples of sites are given or design wishes are described and the question is agreed: is it possible to solve the problem with this design style. To make it easier for you to decide, try visiting the sites of competitors and check whether it is easy to find the necessary information on them. If so, how is this solved? If not, why? Require web studio consultations to learn how to constructively evaluate design, or trust their recommendations.
4) What have I done so that the site visitor finds the necessary and interesting information?Did I provide its web studios or set a task for copywriters? Remember a simple rule: a site is information that is designed and structured in a certain way. I repeat: the site is information. No information - no site.
5) Whose opinion on the site interests me?Do not forget that the site faces a specific, specific commercial (most often) task. Therefore, try not to pay attention to the opinion of your friend or work colleague, especially if they are not supported by specific arguments and you have doubts about their competence in matters of web design. If you are not sure that the site will be convenient for visitors, order testing in a web studio. It is not so expensive, but it will give you the opportunity to find out how much the main task of the site has been solved specifically for representatives of your target audience.
6) Do I understand exactly what the site?A site is a lively, volatile and constantly evolving tool that you need to solve your problems. Do not forget about this, so as not to end up with another "monument to yourself" on the Internet. Plan investments in support and development of the site. If you want to drive a car, just buying it is not enough, you will have to fill in gasoline, undergo maintenance, insure, repair, change tires twice a year, and so on.
7) By what criteria do I evaluate the work done?Forget the word "like"! In fact, the site should not be liked by you, it should solve the task, and also be informative and convenient for visitors, no more. Make advance assessment criteria, coordinate them with a web studio, and then the process of monitoring the development of the site and the result will bring you only positive emotions!
1) Why are we making a website?Before starting work, the most important task that you set for the site should be formulated. It must be one task, it must be concrete and measurable. For example, I plan to increase sales of goods by 25% using the site. Or, I need a resource on which the list of our services is clearly described and there is detailed contact information with the location map. Or, using the site, I plan to interact with regular customers, providing their online support, answering their questions, laying out the necessary documentation and manuals. All other tasks may also be present, but do not forget the rule “Remember the main thing”. In the process of setting the task and creating the site, it is important to periodically check whether this, the most important task, is being solved. This will help to constructively discuss problems at all stages,
2) Do I trust the contractor? If you have decided on a web studio, learn to listen to their advice and trust their recommendations. Most often, the studio is sincerely interested in making a really high-quality project for you, especially if you clearly set the task. To find fault with trifles, to impose your opinion on technical and creative issues is not your task when developing a site.
3) Does the design solve the main task set for the site?Before starting work on a site, its main task must be formulated, examples of sites are given or design wishes are described and the question is agreed: is it possible to solve the problem with this design style. To make it easier for you to decide, try visiting the sites of competitors and check whether it is easy to find the necessary information on them. If so, how is this solved? If not, why? Require web studio consultations to learn how to constructively evaluate design, or trust their recommendations.
4) What have I done so that the site visitor finds the necessary and interesting information?Did I provide its web studios or set a task for copywriters? Remember a simple rule: a site is information that is designed and structured in a certain way. I repeat: the site is information. No information - no site.
5) Whose opinion on the site interests me?Do not forget that the site faces a specific, specific commercial (most often) task. Therefore, try not to pay attention to the opinion of your friend or work colleague, especially if they are not supported by specific arguments and you have doubts about their competence in matters of web design. If you are not sure that the site will be convenient for visitors, order testing in a web studio. It is not so expensive, but it will give you the opportunity to find out how much the main task of the site has been solved specifically for representatives of your target audience.
6) Do I understand exactly what the site?A site is a lively, volatile and constantly evolving tool that you need to solve your problems. Do not forget about this, so as not to end up with another "monument to yourself" on the Internet. Plan investments in support and development of the site. If you want to drive a car, just buying it is not enough, you will have to fill in gasoline, undergo maintenance, insure, repair, change tires twice a year, and so on.
7) By what criteria do I evaluate the work done?Forget the word "like"! In fact, the site should not be liked by you, it should solve the task, and also be informative and convenient for visitors, no more. Make advance assessment criteria, coordinate them with a web studio, and then the process of monitoring the development of the site and the result will bring you only positive emotions!