Design

Getting started

Every website starts with a chat about what you would like to achieve, so why not get the ball rolling by giving me a call or sending an email. Or if you are in the area, pop round for a tea/coffee and get to know me. This will cost you absolutely nothing, but you will go away with a better understanding of how websites are made, what information you need to provide and if you wish to go further.

Content

There is a saying within the web design community “Content is King”.
This means that no matter how pretty your site may be, or how many “bells and whistles” it has, if your initial page doesn’t grab the interest of the viewer, you have probably lost them forever.

It’s not only about what you have to say but also the tone in which it is delivered. Treat your readers like your friends, so start off talking to them as if they already are.

Free websites

There are companies that offer “build your own” websites like Wix.com, Squarespace.com and WordPress.com amongst a host of others. They have their place in the list of choices but they all have limitations.

Although they all come with a huge selection of beautiful pre-designed templates, you are faced with fitting your content within their design, this can present a raft of challenges and compromises.

The basic “free” versions all come with certain restrictions to encourage you to upgrade to a premium version.
Typically, an “ad-free” website on Wix or Squarespace will cost from around £13 per month upwards.

The biggest drawback is if you start with one of the “free” options, it is extremely difficult and in some cases impossible to move your site or domain name away from them.

Where do you start?

This can often be the hardest decision, always look at it from the point of view of a stranger who has found your domain name in a web search or from a social media site and have clicked on the link. You literally have 5 seconds to make that crucial first impression.

1. Can they immediately see what the site is about?

2. Does it match their search criteria?

3. Can they quickly find what they are looking for?

If the answer to any of the above is “No”, they will go back to the search results and look elsewhere.

What do you need?

Above all, a website has to have great visual appeal, so good quality, high resolution photos and graphics are a must.

A clear idea of your target audience.
Your website should be focused on the needs of your audience, not on your personal likes and dislikes.

Planning your website

A guide to planning your website layout and content.