Are you familiar with basic programming language like HTML and Javascript? Not all website software requires that you be familiar with these protocols, but it certainly helps. Many web-hosting companies now offer free software to help you design your site, as well as technical support to help you through it, but in truth, many of these web-hosting companies offer only the basics - no fancy graphics, no video integration, etc.
The most widely used and effective form of encryption is SSL - or Secure Socket Layer - which simply means that the data transfer between your website, as well as any data entered by your customers, such as credit card information, is encrypted or encoded when transferred between the customer’s browser and your server. This technology isn’t foolproof in terms of invincibility, but it does assure your customers that their information cannot be seen or decoded by a hacker while the data is in transit.
The final category of website design is that of generating direct sales, whether by e-commerce methods - meaning selling products and services solely online, or e-commerce plus mail order options, which means the product or service can either be sold in person or online. An example of this type of website could include such businesses as a bookstore or a wedding supply store.
The creative portion can encompass such things as designing that custom logo for your business, or creating a conceptual design that takes your original ideas or goals and refines them into a stunning site to showcase your products or services.
Websites that could be considered strictly informational could be a news outlet whose purpose is to inform the public, or a scientific or weather channel site. The objective here is to disseminate information without consideration of selling a specific item.
Generally, websites serve four main functions. In no particular order, those functions include entertainment, information, advertisement and direct sales. The best websites incorporate more than one function or category into their web design, thus making the website of greater interest to a wider audience.
You now need to evaluate whether or not you possess the technological and creative skills to design your own website, or should you hire a professional designer? Cost is frequently the determining factor in this area. Many website owners think they possess the requisite skills to build an effective website - it’s only when they discover how much work it really is that they’re ready to relinquish control to a professional.
The cost to have your website professionally designed grows exponentially with each feature you want to have added, but the time and money are probably a wise investment, particularly when your entire business depends on effective marketing and sales tools. A few thousand dollars spent now designing a proper website can show a return on investment many times over if your customers can reach you, buy what they need, and have a pleasant experience on your site.
Your website will also need a shopping cart - not a real one, of course, but a virtual cart. When your customers wish to order a product or service, they click on the order button and that product or service goes into their shopping cart, which can then take them through the checkout process in order to register the sale and transfer your money to you.
The technical portion of website design includes using the appropriate programming script, i.e. HTML or Javascript, to allow the site to function properly. A professional web designer should also provide a basic page outline and easy navigation, server management, such as where file should be stored, and site maintenance and updates, since glitches occur and you will need to update your company information periodically.
The final critical areas of website design are security, encryption and your merchant gateway. Again, many web-hosting companies offer merchant gateways as part of their web-hosting packages, but not all do. There are any number of companies operate independently of the web-hosting sites, offering different rate structures and packages - check carefully their references and termination fees so you aren’t surprised with excessive fees somewhere down the road.
A website that provides entertainment typically isn’t sales driven, meaning it is meant to amuse and entertain without being directly linked to a product or service. An example of such a website would include a movie review website, or a joke-of-the-day site. Personal websites, such as one you put up yourself with your life story or family history on it could be categorized as either entertainment or informational in nature.
If you do use a professional web designer, make sure you both understand the scope of the work to be done. A professional typically will have expertise in two areas: technical and creative.