A step-by-step guidance for beginners on how to order a website

Any respectable business today should have a website. But how experienced are you in communicating with developers when you order a website?

How do you define the functionality? What should you look for when contacting an agency? Why does the creation of one website cost $1,000 while the other one costs $100,000? Our step-by-step guide will show you how and where to order a website.

What will you use the website for? Define the goals

Knowing why you are building a website is halfway to success. A customer and a website developer can implement their plans perfectly when both parties are aware of the website's goal.

Define the requirements and needs

Explain to the programmer how you see the complete project. To get the required results that you will be satisfied with, you need to explain to the developers the concept of what the final product should look like. To achieve this, you must find a common "denominator" as soon as possible. The debate stage is the best time to clarify all important aspects of your website. You will save time, stress, and money if you take care of things beforehand.

Choose the design

This is one of the most challenging steps. While discussing the website's design with the developers, you will need to find solutions for the two following issues: 

• Choose the proper site markup. 
• Include all relevant graphic elements.

How to choose a website’s markup and graphic elements is something we will discuss in one of our next articles.

Select a website creation technique

Here you will have to handle the following two issues:

1. Choose between ordering an HTML website or using a content management system. 
2. Choose what content management system to use if you decide to create a website with a CMS.

HTML websites give you the following benefits:

• There are no limitations on the type of functionality, structure, or design.
• HTML-based websites load quickly and remain stable during periods of high traffic.
• There is no need to pay for CMS.

The biggest drawback of HTML resources is the expense of hiring developers to keep the website up to date.

The advantages of websites using content management systems include:

• You will be able to independently add and edit content. It does not require knowledge in the field of web programming.
• Independent modification in the website's design, functionality, and technical characteristics. You may configure backups, adjust the cache, and update menus without touching the code.
• The ability to solve specific tasks using template tools: modules, plugins, and widgets.
• The ability to use template design. For example, you can easily use paid WordPress themes that look better than many custom designs.

Choose an HTML site in two cases: if you need a business card site from one static page, or if you are ready to pay developers and a full-time programmer for resource support. Use a CMS if you want to be able to self-publish content.

Consider additional requirements that the website must meet

In short, your site must meet the needs of the audience and the technical requirements of search engines.

• Correct display in popular browsers.
• Adaptation for mobile devices.
• Straightforward and working navigation.
• Acceptable site loading speed.
• Correct URLs.
• No duplicate pages.
• Opportunity to optimize meta-data.
• The ability to insert third-party service codes, such as analytics services.
• Code validity.
• Ability to optimize graphic content: resize photos, add title, caption, and alt attributes.
• Availability of user-friendly features: comments, rating system, search and feedback forms.
• You will need a multilingual site if you work in the international market.
• Security: protection against unauthorized access, creating backups, and blocking spam comments.

Choose a company where you will order the website

Your options are limited. You will have to work with a freelancer or an agency.

Why is it worth collaborating with agencies? Here are the main reasons:

• Agencies provide all-inclusive services. You do not have to think about hosting, technical optimization, or internet marketing.
• You will sign the contract and pay for the services of the agency officially. This is a sort of security for you.
• You will communicate with the manager, not directly with the web developer. The manager will help you speak the same language.
• In theory, working with an agency protects you from missed deadlines and other force majeure that is a common situation in working with freelancers.

Working with freelancers has its own set of benefits:

• You can save a lot by coordinating the creation of the site.
• It is easier to work with a freelancer informally. You can find good specialists in your country or far abroad who charge less money for their work.
• You will communicate directly with the developer. No need to pay for a manager.
• Freelancers work for results. Therefore, you can order and receive a website in the midst of the summer holidays or New Year holidays.

Insolvo can help you with your website development project. Our freelancers will do their best while completing your project.

Post a task and Insolvo, in turn, will guarantee that you only pay for the results you need, not for the time they spend.