Four Steps to a Brand New Website

How does a brand new website development project typically run from start to finish? I'm glad you asked. And the clichéd answer is that there's no typical website project, because ever client is different. And of course that's true. But not very helpful. So the following might give you a bit more of a clue.

Step One. We start with a friendly chat about why you need a website and how you expect it to benefit your organisation. At this stage you might present me with samples of business stationery, leaflets or literature and, where possible, digital copies of logos and images that you know you want to include. And perhaps you might point me in the direction of other sites you've seen that you aspire to emulate or that have a relevant design. Not that we'll be ripping off other people's intellectual property - it's just a helpful way of moving from a blank page to a first draft.

Step Two. After that consultation, you'll be given one or more mock-ups of how your site might look. If I'm trying to impress you, I'll call it a "creative treatment". But really they're mock-ups. These wouldn't usually be clickable web pages, just Photoshop graphics to give you an idea of colours, fonts and layout. We'll then talk these over and a second or third draft may or may not be required. Every job is different.

Step Three. Once we've agreed on that, we'll leave each another to get on with it for a while. You may have to write and compile several pages of content and photos while I'm beavering away making it all look good. We'll probably be in touch via email and 'phone a number of times and depending on your commitments and the urgency of the project, it might take anything from a few days to a few weeks. But the next time you see your website, it will be a working version that you can click on and interact with. And again I'll be expecting you to want to make changes and additions, because even if we've communicated very well, it still might not be quite the way you've imagined.

Step Four. After that, we're at the deployment stage. I'll take care of making the site live and help you as much as possible with irritating tasks like domain name registration and transfer as well as setting up your mailboxes. And of course you may well require some help in learning how to update the site yourself now that I've finished work.

Need a Web Designer in Reading?

Four Reasons to Choose Jon from inframes

My commitments to my clients:

First, I offer a very personal service. I might not create every bit of your website myself, but I will be available to you on the end of the 'phone any time to talk about your website and I'll be very happy to give you free advice about anything from domain name registration to search engine optimisation. If I'm not around when you call, I'll call you back at the soonest possible opportunity, guaranteed.

Second, I don't tout a selection of website packages and try to squeeze your organisation into one of them. My clients come from such diverse fields as travel, molecular biology supplies, photography, ticket sales and IT consultancy, so I have to address the needs of each of those businesses individually. In your case, perhaps you're trying to promote your organisation to find new customers, or enable better communication with existing customers, or both. Or perhaps something else entirely. But I wouldn't presume to tell you what sort of website you need until we've had a chance to talk about your aims.

Third, I will be available for after-sales service every bit as eagerly as I am before your cheque clears. However, I try to put myself out of a job to the extent that I recommend you take control of your website once I've finished with it. I don't consider it good customer service if you have to keep coming back to me every time you need to change a telephone number or update details of a forthcoming event. So, depending on the resources you have available, I'd deliver you a website that you can maintain yourself. And if you want to expand and develop it further, you'll know where to find me.

Fourth, I take internet security very seriously. Hacking is a very real problem and sloppy code can make it very easy for even a semi-competent hacker to get to your customes' private contact details. I won't allow that to happen.

BNI Member Links Page

Looking for a solicitor you can trust? An insurance broker? Or maybe a health and safety adviser, graphic designer or financial adviser? There's nothing quite like a personal recommendation. And I know representatives of the companies below personally, because I meet them every week for lunch where I have come to recognise their achievements and expertise in their chosen field.

Our full members include representatives from (in no particular order):

Blue Sky
Independent Financial Advisers, Reading

inframes.com ltd
Website Design, Reading (that's me)

Mailboxes Etc
Printers, Reading

Barrett and Co.
Solicitors, Reading

Academy
Insurance Brokers, Reading

Itinium
Industrial and Commercial Heating and Ventilation, Bracknell

Dean Weller Associates
Career Management & Outplacement, Theale

Milieu Vista
Health & Safety, Reading

Jon Baverstock
Graphic Designer, Reading

Deborah Heath
Interior Designer, Reading

Tahex ltd
Computer hardware, Reading

Citylocal Reading
Business Directory, Reading

Fresh and Clean Services
Commercial and Office Cleaning, Tadley

Lindsey Shane Palmer
AutoCAD Designer

Sparkright
Builders, Reading

Micropoint
IT Support, Reading

Positive Solutions
Mortgage Advice, Reading

Forest Computerstaff
IT Recruitment, Reading

What's BNI?

I am part of a growing new chapter of the BNI business networking group and we're looking for other Reading-based small business professionals to refer business to.

We meet between 12.15pm and 1.45pm on Wednesdays. If you'd like to come along to a lunch, please drop me a line or give me a call and I'll put you in touch with our organiser.

There's absolutely no commitment required – you just pay a tenner, which covers the cost of lunch at the Strada on the Oracle Riverside - and you'll have a chance to meet existing members and other visitors, introduce your business and of course hand out business cards.