Checklist for building a website.
Eight things you should know, when others make a website for you.
It can be hard to navigate all the things you need to think about before you set out to find someone to make your website.
There are a lot of things to keep track of, and probably more than we mention here. Therefore, this should only be seen as an inspirational list to guide you through the jungle of finding the right partner.
01.
Your strategy.
Before you set out to find someone to help you create your website, it’s a good idea to think about what the purpose of your website is. Do you want visitors to know just a little bit more about you and how to get in touch with you? Or do you need your website to get more customers?
Once you know what the purpose of your website is, it will be easier for you and your future web designer to create and design your website.
02.
Responsive website.
More and more people are viewing your website from a mobile phone, so it’s important that your website builders know how to create a responsive design. A responsive design means that your website adapts to the device the visitor is using. This means that text, images, and animations scale either up or down depending on the screen you are using.
Responsive design also ensures that your website remains user-friendly. It is important to remember that a user-friendly design is easy to navigate, functional, clear, and simple in design.
03.
Security.
It is a requirement of Google that your website has a so-called SSL certificate. SSL stands for Secure Sockeys Layer and is a layer of data encryption that ensures there is a secure connection between a web browser and a server. An SSL certificate makes it much harder for others to hack your website and steal information.
With an SSL certificate, you avoid a message to your visitors that your website is not secure. You’ll rank higher on Google, increase your conversions, and build more trust with visitors.
You can tell if a website has an SSL certificate by looking at the URL. It will say either http or https. If it says https, it means the website is secure and has an SSL certificate. You can also tell that a website has an SSL certificate by the padlock symbol at the URL.
04.
Open or closed system.
Before you choose someone to create your website, it’s a good idea to find out which CMS system your future web designer uses. Is it an open source or closed source system? Or will the website be coded from scratch?
If it’s an open system, it will typically be the case that you can edit, change, and delete things on your website yourself. You don’t have to maintain your website yourself, but in an open system you have the option. Secondly, it’s easy to change providers if you get tired of working together, as the system is easy to access.
If it’s a closed system, on the other hand, you’ll usually be more locked into what you can edit yourself. You are tied to the collaborator, who has access and knowledge of the system, and are forced to contact them every time something needs to be added or just tweaked a bit. Consequently, what seems like a cheap solution can become an expensive investment in the long run.
There’s nothing right or wrong about your choice, but it does affect the way you’ll work with the system when your website goes live. Besides, an open source system is the most future-proof and easiest to work in.
05.
The future of your website.
Once you’ve thought about whether you want to work in an open or closed system, you should also look at the specific options for that to make a choice that’s right for you in the long term. Is the company behind the system a few years old? Is the system still being developed and can more people work on the development?
It is essential to think about these factors, as a website needs to be continuously adjusted to meet market needs. The digital world moves fast and something new is happening all the time. It will be the same when it comes to your website. It might be the structure that needs to change or perhaps the setup. In any case, it will be easier and cheaper for you if the system you choose can also be used the next time you need to renew your website.
In addition, it is worth checking whether there are regular updates to, for example, plugins and themes in your chosen CMS system. It increases security against hacker attacks and the like if the system is regularly updated and maintained.
At design concern, we work in WordPress, which is open, user-friendly, and comes with ample options for plugins. In addition, WordPress is the most popular open source CMS system, which almost guarantees continuous updates and thus secures websites for the future.
06.
Support.
Who supports your website?
Whose responsibility is it to maintain the website? Would you like to be able to update your website yourself once it’s built? Do you need an introduction to the administrative part of your website?
These are questions you should ask your future web designer. Do you have the skills to edit your website yourself, or would you like a support contract? Remember to match expectations and get it in writing.
07.
Search engine optimisation.
Search engine optimisation is an important factor when it comes to getting visitors to your website, being seen by Google, and thus ranking high.
It’s a good idea to ask about your developer partner’s experience with SEO and whether it’s a task they can handle for you. It’s a waste of effort and money to have a brand new website that can’t be found on Google because your partner doesn’t have the necessary experience with SEO and how your target audience sees your particular website.
08.
Your partner needs to understand you and your needs.
Finally, you need to find a partner who understands you and your needs, so that together you can meet your customers’ needs.
Your visitors are the ones who can become your future customers, so it’s important to find a partner who has experience with solutions that create growth and added value for you and your business.
Your future partner must understand your target audience and what your audience is looking for.
Do you need help?
At design concern, you get a partner who knows how to generate customers with a new website. We’re experts in user-friendly and scalable solutions that match your customers’ needs – and reflect your business DNA.
If you would like to know more about design concern and how we can help you, please contact us on +45 8676 1022.