When you are thinking about having a website designed, there are a number of things to consider before you get to the creative web design stage. Firstly pre-planning and thinking through exactly what you need your website to do for your business is critically important. What is the role of the site? Is it to sell, generate enquiries, build your brand or act as an online reference point with useful information? Good functionality is a major consideration - your site needs to be user friendly and easy to navigate. You also need to consider the search engines; it is all very well having a beautifully designed website but if nobody can find it, your creative web design isn't reaching its full potential. Only after tackling these issues does the creative aspect come into play. Some design companies churn out websites using templates, which means they can look very similar and fail to communicate the unique proposition and personality of a company. A truly creative web design will incorporate all these factors without compromising on usability, navigation or sales effectiveness.
YOUR CREATIVE WEB DESIGN CHECKLIST The following checklist will help you plan your creative web design project. Having clear answers to these questions will help you brief your designer to give you creative web design that gets positive business results:
What are the main objectives for this website?
For example: Increase sales, help existing customers, advertise new promotions/discounts, promote new services or attract new clients.
Who is your target audience? How can the website be designed to appeal to that target market? What do you know about them in terms of their age, sex, geographic location, income, aspirations, hopes and fears?
What is your USP (Unique Selling Point)? What makes your company different from your competitors? How can the creative web design dramatise this message?
What are the key functions needed for your website? Do you need ecommerce (shopping baskets)? Do you need a content management system (allows you to update your website yourself)? How can it be designed to make it as user friendly as possible?
Content How many pages will you need and what will they contain? Do you need help with copywriting? Do you already have pictures of your product or will you need help with photography / picture research to give a professional look?
What is your budget? How can you use your funds to the best advantage?
What is your deadline? Have a clear idea of your timescale.
For more detailed advice and help, have a look at our advice section
Our designers are experienced and knowledgeable in creative web design. We will listen to your individual needs and build you a website that combines creativity and functionality - and we will tailor it to your business needs. We will give you jargon-free advice and continuous support throughout the creative design process.
http://www.deckchair.co.uk/creative-designing.php
