The Consumer s guide to Web Developers

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1 C o m p a n y P r o f i l e The Consumer s guide to Web Developers An educational service supplied by web design hosting maintenance content management ecommerce web marketing

2 An overview Page 2 of 7 INTRODUCTION In this report you will find the eight mistakes to avoid in choosing a web developer, which will save you time, heartache, and money. There are many packages that provide instant web design tools that take away the need to understand the coding and construction of a standard web site. Therefore, it is understandable that both businesses and the public alike make decisions based on misunderstandings of web site construction. This report is an information guide to enable you to make a decision based on sound knowledge. Whether you instruct a company to build a standard web site, flash, e-commerce, or database driven functionality, you need to have knowledge of what is involved, to give you better understanding of what you actually want, the process, the pitfalls and the end result. The most common coding for building a standard web site is HTML (hypertext mark-up language), which is what determines how the site works. This can be hand coded or provided in a software package to emulate this code, such as Dreamweaver, so that the designer can concentrate on the construction. However, the designer must be able to understand basic HTML, and java script to sort out coding errors, that can occur when using these packages. Other languages used to build more complex sites are ASP and PHP, the later becoming increasing more popular, as it gives greater flexibility in the construction of either content management systems or e-commerce sites. Databases are also used in these constructions, which are normally built using MySQL. Using an Access database will not be man enough for the job. Building a web site can be compared to building a house. You need a design plan of what you want and what it looks like by an architect. The design needs to be technically understood and estimated by a structural engineer. It then needs to be constructed by a builder who will need both the plans and engineers report to give a price and to carry this through to completion. Even a simple site needs a sketch plan, maybe some illustrations of similar sites for a look & feel. The functionality of the site needs to be clarified. Does it need forms, pop ups, usernames and passwords, or collection of information. What is it supposed to do? This is especially important if the site needs a database, or shopping cart facility (e-commerce). Once this has been established, a plan and time scales need to be confirmed. A look & Feel or design has to be established. The web company after consultation should write a detailed breakdown of tasks involved in the construction, including all functionality. The client also has a responsibility to write copy for all the site pages needed and written in a format that can be ed to the web company, along with any graphics and logos. Both parties therefore should know what is expected, with the design, functionality, cost and timescale agreed, well before action is taken and money changes hands.

3 Eight mistakes to make in choosing a web developer Page 3 of 7 1. Presumption The first common mistake that most people make is one of presumption. They presume that the web company will understand exactly what they want without a proper brief. This can lead to both misunderstandings, paying too little or too much, or in the worst case scenario, having to start all over again, because the client has not got want they wanted. Most web companies will build you what you said you wanted, rather than what you actually require, and you will pay for it, whether you like it or not. 2. Friend or foe? Many people get involved with a friend of a friend who say that they can provide what you want and give you a really good deal. They will do it as a favour, or as they are working out of their back bedroom it reduces the cost. This again can cause problems with a badly designed and constructed site, which will affect both the image your site reflects, site visitors and search engines finding the site (more on this later). If this site is to reflect your companies image, is this worth the risk? This causes a trap! Because the client thinks they are getting a good deal, they feel that they can t make demands on the person and therefore very often, have to put up with an inferior end product. 3. Security If your Web Company or designer does not construct the site properly, and host it on a secure platform, you can be open to hackers. This means that once you have constructed your site, someone could deface it, take it down, alter the contents or obtain sensitive information. This is particularly important for a shopping site (e-commerce) or password protected information. Packages like Microsoft Front page or other amateur software solutions, especially if they need a windows server should be avoided like the plague. 4. Can t find you One of the main problems with using a web developer who does not understand basic coding or uses inferior software products, is that you will not have any meta tag information (search words) built in to your site code that enable the search engines to find you. Just putting words relating to your site on your front page and other site pages, does not help you get listed. The site must be coded properly and submitted to the relevant search engines manually. Anyone who uses a software package will not get your site to the first or second page of the top search directories. Most search directories change their submission criteria every month to stop undesirable sites getting a listing, and therefore a manual submission to the top search is the only real guarantee that you will get listed.

4 Page 4 of 7 5. Where is your site Hosted? Hosting your site is often taken for granted, as prices have come down in recent years. However, exactly where is it? If your web designer gives you a cheap deal, he is not going to put your site on a dedicated server, but with hundreds of others. This could mean that it could be slow to load, vulnerable to down time, or at worst with a Hosting company that goes bust and leaves you with no site at all. Also who has control over your domain name, and the renewal of it? If your web developer does not tell you that you Domain name needs renewing, then you could lose it altogether. Therefore, if your business depends on this name, you could loose allot of money. 6. Support and advice Are the web developers going to be there in the future? Would they build your site using out of dated technology to save costs? When you want an upgrade would you have to pay a fortune, or if they are not around, have to rebuild the site properly? Individual web developers come and go depending on demand, the market conditions let alone their private lives! Therefore when choosing a web development company, they need to have a track record and a program of ongoing support, development and advice. 7. Time is money Most web companies charge on a time basis, and allocate a start and finish time. Therefore, if you are not able to provide the information, either text or graphics you could be charged extra for not complying with their terms and conditions, as that they have set aside time and recourses for completing the site build. 8. The end game Understanding the reason for having your web site developed in the first place will save both time, money and stress. Getting the right advice on functionality, design, marketing, hosting, domains and up to the minute Internet developments will make sure that your ideas work, both financially and practically. There is nothing worse that spending a lot of time, creativity and money on something that just is not going to work because the company you have employed either does not understand your brief or tell you that your idea may not be successful, as they just want your money.

5 So whats the way foward? Page 5 of 7 You are in business to make money. You don t need extra stress, financial burdens and time, heaped on top of what you are doing. You are good at what you do, and therefore do not want to start learning about web technology. You want to be able to delegate this important side of your business. You want to know that this marketing/money-making tool is in safe hands. You can concentrate on building your business, knowing that you can monitor the site build at any time. You know that the site will be hosted securely and have a 99.9% uptime. You have a guarantee that the site will be built on time as per the agree specification and within budget.

6 Why use TW media to build your site Page 6 of 7 We started in 1999, building standard sites, e-commerce, databases, and have built up a team of qualified web developers who understand all aspects of web technology. We specialise in e-commerce and content management systems that give you full control of your site. We provide free consultations, visits and a complete specification of your proposed site build after our meetings. We clearly provide a complete breakdown on your site build so that you are aware of each stage of the site construction. We provide a special web address so that you are able to see the site construction in the making and therefore can make any comments. We only use high-end web tools along with our knowledge of different programming languages, to make sure that you get the best site build possible. We have are own dedicated (Linux) servers, to give you maximum security, speed and uptime. We have experienced, qualified people who will deal with different aspects of the site build, hosting, search engine registration, or marketing. We will give you an honest appraisal of your ideas, your competion and suggestions how to make your site work both financially and practically. We will provide existing clients to contact for reassurance. We will provide a full web-marketing plan to increase your business.

7 TW Media Guarantee Page 7 of 7 To be competitive on price. (like for like) To build the site on time, within budget and according to your specification. To fully understand your business and to make recommendations for the growth of your business using Internet technology. For a free no obligation quote Contact Tim Pearson Telephone: ( ) Or contact us at info@