Simplify the Web

A question often asked when speaking with someone who wants a new site or a refresh of an old design is "how long will it take to get this up and running?" It's a pretty straight forward process, however, some people don't think about it, so here's a simple guide to help you get your site up and running quickly.

1. Have an Idea

There are plenty of people that can make a website today. But can they make YOUR website. Your site will ultimately reflect on you as a busines and/or individual. Don't let someone tell you how they think your site should be, keep in mind what you like. Ultimately it's your decision and you should only seek what you like and not have to settle on anything.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't be flexible. Understand that a good designer will ask questions and will give you advise on how best to structure your site for best results and optimal results in SERPs (search engine result pages). Someone who doesn't ask you for more info probably shouldn't be helping you, you'll only extend the process that much more.

2. Know Your Content

Before or shortly after the design process starts you should have your content ready. Your content impacts your design, just like print in a newspaper. If you have a lot of images, that could impact how the designers builds the site and its look. Without knowing what you want to say, the site will only take longer.

A new site can't be launched without its content, and unless you're using some service that already has the content pre-packaged for you (which is website suicide, as all the other clients they have would be saying the same thing and you'll only be lost in the mix), you should definitely know what you want to say. Even if it's short and sweet, something is better than nothing.

3. Be Prepared To Pay

This doesn't mean it's expensive, it only means that asking a designer to start on something without an upfront payment is not the norm in the industry. Most will have you pay something upfront and then pay the rest throughout the whole process, usually a lump sum in the end. Don't think you are going to be special.

If you approach the project with expectations of not going to pay until delivered, then you'll be waiting a long time. Money talks, be prepared to speak.

4. Keep The Kreep At Bay

One of the biggest problems with new site owners or revamps is Scope Kreep. Coming up with ideas on the fly will only slow down the process to get your site online. Be upfront about your ideas and let them make it online. You can always add more afterwards and make corrections as needed, but waiting for a perfect site with all of your expectations will take longer and ultimately keep you from being found.

5. Know Your Vertical

If someone is helping you with your content and optimizing it for the Search Engines, then knowing your content and your vertical is huge. Anyone can optimize for anything on any page, but that doesn't mean it will help you in the end. Know your clients. Know your industry. With that then you will know what keywords would be useful to include in your content, otherwise you'll spend a lot of time trying to come up with content that will only take longer for you to deploy.

Ultimately it's up to you to make sure your site moves along in design and development. Designers will do what they are told to do, if they are told to use their artistic freedom to come up with something that represents you as a person without any direction, they'll do just that, but it will take a long time. Work WITH your design hand in hand. Know that as he/she is working on your look and feel, you are working on your message and what you want to do. Without it, you will only wait longer for it all to come together.