Guidelines
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Guidelines for Consumers Working with a web designer should be a fun, exciting, and rewarding experience. The first step is to define your purpose. Why do you want to purchase a custom web site? The second step is to decide on a technology. Do your objectives require heavy scripting and programming? Do you want a Flash-driven site or will simple html coding do the job? Surf the internet as often as necessary to get an idea of the look you want and keep a record of websites you like. Next look at portfolios and sample websites. If you like the style of a certain designer, then contact them for more information. Web designers will help you to develop a perfect look and feel. Your web site will be an extension of your personality and should reflect your tastes and desires. Maybe you need a more elaborate site with shopping carts, cookies, secure login capabilities, and databases. In situations where your business depends on a complex working website, it may be best to hire a company that specializes in web site development. Don't forget search engine optimization and updates. How will people find your site? Who will be responsible for website maintenance and how much will it cost? There is more to web site development than what meets the eye. There are questions to consider before design work ever begins. Who will provide images, graphics, and content? What is the initial budget? What domain names are available? Where will website files be hosted? A trustworthy web designer will ask all these questions and many more. Web Design contracts provide a measure of security for both consumer and designer. Don't expect the designer to do a complete re-design once layout is approved. You wouldn't ask an artist to start over once a piece neared completion unless you expected to pay the price. Do not expect a web designer to work for free, either. In the end, you should look back on the whole web development experience as an exciting accomplishment.
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Guidelines for Web Designers Most clients are small business owners. Rarely do they have experience in internet applications. Many may just be learning how to use email yet they realize the importance of having a professional looking web presence. Web designers should expect to help clients gather content. If you wait on the client to do all the writing, it might never get done. Designers should also expect to take a lot of digital photos. (A cheap camera will do since you're probably not going to be making large size prints.) A good web designer needs a wide knowledge base including basic html, css, and Javascript. Writing, photography, and people skills are important, too. When it comes to giving clients what they want, designers have to be a jack of all trades. Web designers must keep up to date with new trends and software, although basic sites with good content never go out of style. Be ready to pay hundreds of dollars for the latest website editing software. Out of ideas? Surf the internet for fresh new ways of presenting information. Sometimes searching within the industry will help. Is your client an Accountant? Google "accounting firms" and see what the resulting websites look like. Web designers should have some type of agreement to present to their clients. Just a few paragraphs with the main details is better than nothing. Of course, larger sites will require more complex contracts. What about domain names and hosting services? Various plans are available online. Clients may leave details completely up to the designer, in which case it is common courtesy to register domain names with the client listed as administrative contact (owner). Web designers should always maintain the highest standards of integrity in order for the profession to be respected in the technology and business communities.
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"There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary and those who don't." |
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© 2008
by the International Web Design
Society
Headquarters located in Blairsville,
Georgia
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
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