This is the stage where I’ll work out how much work needs to be done, how long it’ll take and what it’s going to cost.
1. Confirmation of Site Objectives (Corporate, Marketing, etc.)
Decide what the main business objectives are, and how the website will serve those objectives.
I’ll help you come up with a summary of what the website is actually for. What’s the purpose? What outcome do you want?
2. Choose Business Model and Marketing Plan
Do you want leads/enquiries, or do you want to sell online directly?
Some business sell products from their own stock, while others have an arrangement with a supplier.
Some businesses sell their time and knowledge as a service provider/consultant, while others are want to agents for others’ businesses.
3. Plan Interactions, Technologies and Functionalities
Selling online? You’ll be needing the means by which to accept payments from cards and systems like Woo Payments, PayPal and Apple Pay.
Some thought needs to be given to the logistics.
4. Choose Content Management System
What is a content management system?
It is a type of website which gives you a username and password with which to log in to an online dashboard, with options to create new pages, upload pictures etc.
I propose you use a content management system called WordPress which can be found at WordPress.org.
5. Choose Data Delivery Model
Data delivery means how the website visitors actually access your webpages.
Some websites hide content behind a “paywall”, meaning a visitor has to pay or be a customer to get access to parts of the website.
The chances are that you’ll allow free access to all your pages but it depends on your business model and what you’re trying to achieve.
For the most part, free access is the norm and best route for service type businesses wanting to promote what they do.
6. Roles and Responsibilities and Initial Timeframe
Together we must decide who does what during the project.
We’ll agree on how long we will spend working on it. If you need it done as a quick turnaround, it will cost more than usual.
A simple website with several pages needs content, copywriting, graphics, photos etc. Realistically, it’ll take about a month to creat the website.
7. Quote Submission
Once we both understand what needs to be done and how much work is involved, a figure will be submitted. If your requirements change or develop throughout the project, this figure will need to be recalculated based on the changes.
As a rough guide, here some approximations on what a website costs:
- At least £600 for a simple multi-page WordPress website
- At least £2000 for a simple multi-page eCommerce website (less than 50 products).
8. Project Validation, Contract Agreement and Deposit Paid
You’ll be asked to read, agree to and sign a contract agreement which will specify the timeframe of the project and the overall cost.
We’ll agree a deposit and how to settle the final balance. We can use milestones to break down the overall sum into smaller payments.
If during the project criteria significantly changes during the work, we will need to pause and recalculate. The overall cost will increase.
New Website Guide
Menu
- 🗃️ Preparation
- ⚖️ Quote Submission
- ♟️ Planning
- 📰 Layout
- 🖇️ Content Preparation
- 🧩 Content Integration
- 📐 Design
- 🪛 Technical and Usability
- ⚙️ Functionalities