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An Entrepreneur's Guide to Websites: Contract a winning team
Last Updated (Tuesday, 26 February 2008 11:29)
Approaching a website company to commission a site which includes a home page, some product information and a contact page is like asking a car salesperson for a car with an engine.
Savvy entrepreneurs are informed, know what questions to ask and don't take delivery of a jalopy that ends up being a complete waste of money. This series of guiding points advise non-technical business owners who want an online presence on how to get a website that contributes to the success of their business.
When evaluating and selecting a website company you will want to gain a sense that your most important requirements will be met. The scenario to avoid is that of a website (or worse, a website intention) that has been neglected for two years and where the only way to revive it is to start all over again.
Website development, as the phrase is commonly used, has become a misnomer. Development is a process that typically requires 'writing code'. But with a plethora of website frameworks now available, development may only be a small part.
A website is more than just design and development. A wide range of specialised skills contribute to the final product - from the computer that runs a website to the ongoing support services to update and maintain it.
A single company may be able to provide all the necessary skills and services but more often will focus on and specialise in just one or two areas. To supplement their area of expertise they will tap into their own collaborative network, drawing in the right support when required, to offer a full service or be willing to work with suppliers for which you have a preference.
Some standard areas of specialisation (addressed in future articles) are:
- Visually what websites look like and how they are laid out
- Website content
- Actual implementation, including any development required
- Training, support and ongoing changes, such as the addition of new content pages
- Managing technical aspects of computers that run websites
- Preparing websites for search engines and online marketing
It is not enough to just consider your immediate requirements. Consideration should also be given to ongoing and future requirements.
This is especially true when budgeting for your website as the ongoing costs are as important as the initial investment. With a car, you pay for servicing and insurance; with websites your ongoing operational costs can include hosting, support, maintenance and online marketing. Not to mention the additions and enhancements to both design and functionality that you're likely to want in the future.
A good website company will assure you that, even if you agree to only address part of your requirement in the first version of your site, future requirements will be accommodated in an effective manner. When you climb into the cockpit of a Formula 1 motor racing car it's good to know you're backed by an expert and committed team.
Next, your company's website is a client-facing representative of your business. An Entrepreneur's Guide to Websites: First and lasting impressions will address the perception and experience created for visitors to your site.
About the author
Stephen Tredrea is an entrepreneur and owner of Comduit Websites (http://com-du-it.com/), a website services company delivering top performers for businesses who demand a website that delivers and grows as they do. Comduit can be contacted on
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