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.
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.
Before you think about the options of designing your own web page, or hiring a professional web designer to assist you, there are some basic questions you need to ask yourself, and come up with the answers that fit your specific situation. If you don’t have a clue as to what you want, just a general idea, head straight for a professional designer who can turn your ideas into a solid reality.
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.
How fast technology changes! Twenty years ago the Internet was an infant struggling for recognition and acceptance - in today’s world it’s difficult to imagine how we survived without it. The Internet has forever changed the way businesses operate, made personal communication instantaneous, and truly opened up world markets.
Encryption and security are significant considerations for your website - with identity theft and credit card fraud on the rise, it’s increasingly important to ensure that your customers are as safe as possible from internet hackers and thieves. E-commerce is possible because commercial websites can process credit card and other forms of electronics safely and securely, thus ensuring customer financial information is kept confidential.
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.
Many times website owners approach a professional designer and ask: what would it cost to set up a simple, 10-page website? This question usually brings back a flood of questions from the designer - what exactly are you looking for? Do you need a custom logo designed for your company? How about a merchant gateway? Inventory options? Are you planning on using videos on your site? What about integrating flash components into your overall presentation?