What's needed from you

Website content

• It doesn't matter how you provide website copy - written down, printed out or emailed to us - but make sure it can be read and understood! This applies as much to reading your writing as to understanding your instructions.
  
  
• Keep to one topic per page, such as "How to find us" and "The menu" etc. There are no limits to how many pages you have, and it will make the site a lot more usable.
  
  
• Know how you prefer people to contact you - fax, email or phone - this can be specified on the website. But do be prepared to answer queries promptly so that customers know their contact request reached you - even if all you do is call with an initial acknowledgement.
  
  
• Know who your audience are - are there any special considerations that they may need? For example will your site be read by young people, people who speak English as a foreign language, or people with any kind of physical or learning impairment? We can help you re-write the content for your audience if necessary.
  
  
• When you plan the content, don't forget to address the questions - Who What Where When and How - so that all the important information is given. For example Who you are, When you are open, What you do, Where you are located, How to contact you. Of course there are no limits, but don't forget to ensure that the basics are covered.
  

Questions to consider

• What style or brand image do you want to convey? If you have any letterheads or similar stationery, we can use those to capture your logo and to create a similar colour scheme - unless, of course, you'd like to overhaul your stationery at the same time. If you don't have a house style, please consider which colours you might prefer.
  
  
• Are there any websites that you particularly like, or dislike? Picking out particular aspects to discuss such as fonts, use of colour or general style would be useful, as examples will help us to learn your taste and preferences. (Of course, we will never copy another website's design.)
  
  
• Do you have any images that you'd like to use? These will add interest and in some sectors can be crucial in illustrating your work. Do you need permission to use these photos, or need to take any new ones? If so, it's better to start the process as early as possible.
  
  
• Do you have a timescale for the website launch? For example, do you plan to mention it on any adverts, or have an event when you could publicise it?
  
  
• How would you prefer customers contact you - by phone, fax or email?
  
  
• How many pages are you likely to need? (Tip: use a new page for each topic, e.g. "How to get here" on one page, "Our wine list" on another.) If there are several pages, how would they be indexed; what sections will you need?
  
  
• What sort of people use your services? If they have any special needs, for example they speak English as a foreign language, or they have physical or learning impairments, we can add features to ensure that they find your website easy to use.
  
  
• Which key words are associated with your business? We need 10 - 20 key words or phrases that will be used to help people to find your website in web searches. (Tip: avoid generic terms like "fast" and go for something more specific like "same day". The more specific, the better.)
  
  
• How would you describe your business in twenty words? Again, we need this to help people find your website in web searches. The sentence you provide will be displayed in search results listings by Google and similar.
  
  
• What web address would you like? This is the way people find you on the internet, such as www.wdam.co.uk or www.webdesignandmastery.com. (Tip: Think up some alternatives, or key words to use in the name, as your first choice might not be available. Choices based on your name, trade or region are useful. Shorter names are easier to remember. For more information, see our page on domain names.)
  
  
• Do you have any special requirements or features you want us to build into your website? This covers anything which is not static content, so we need to know your plans for everything from data capture forms through to animations. It's also worth noting that this is the aspect which will have the biggest affect on timescale and cost, so it's crucial to think about any "extras" early on (or to realise that if they are introduced later, the details in our quote may be changed.) That said, the sky's the limit - just let us know what you want to include!