Do you think it’s time for a new website for your business? Is your existing website out of date? Functionality and design in need of an overhaul? Could it be because the website is slow? Sales not working? Visitors are leaving the site without contacting you? Competitors have already created a new page and are running away with it? There can be a variety of reasons for building a new website, and if your inner voice is telling you, it’s time to listen and take action.
From idea to goal
The first step to making a new website should be to get an idea of your needs. Look at what is already on your existing site and what you need to add and why. The clearer the ideas, the easier it will be to achieve the goal. Every website has a specific role to play – whether it is to offer a convenient way for customers to shop online(https://upgr8.ee/) or to share information about your business and provide a quick and easy way for customers to contact you(https://puitpaneel.ee/).
Alustuseks küsi endalt, millised on eesmärgid, mida uus veebileht peaks täitma?
Write them down so that it’s easy to outline your ideas and needs when you approach a web developer.
Look at the branding of your company, what’s your logo, what are your company colours, ask yourself if you are happy with them? If not, it’s time to update them – website design is linked to corporate identity.
What functionalities do you want to see on your new site? What would improve and speed up your own work, and help your customers surf your site with purpose? Do you need to integrate the website with any business management software?
Finding the right partner
Once you’ve got your ideas in place, check out the websites of different web development companies. Check out the portfolio to get an idea of the handwriting of the developers and designers.
Did you know that there is often a note at the foot of the website stating who the author is? You can recognise a homepage made by Web Systems by our logo at the bottom.
When checking the portfolio, check that the company’s website is secure (HTTPS), the speed of the page, how comfortable it is to navigate around the website and whether all the features work. And most importantly, do you like the style of previous work?
There is a difference between supply and offer
In order to get the most accurate proposal possible, it is also necessary to have an accurate description of the ideas.
You may find that online makers will give you a wide range of quotes for your query, from a few hundred euros up to five figures. Why are the quotes so different? The lowest bidder is likely to use a template solution, and above-average bidders will use a custom solution. What is the difference between the two? You can find a lot of material on this on the internet, for example in this blog post from abroad or in one of our own earlier blog posts. Even a good web developer will be willing to explain the differences between template and custom solutions and give you some suggestions.
If you don’t have any experience in creating a new website, it would be wise to turn to a company that offers complete solutions from design and logo creation to page integration and optimisation (SEO). This way, you won’t have to work on the shortcomings of the page on your own. Check whether the offer includes the implementation of your ideas. Another important point is: did you get on well with the web designer on a human level? Making a new website is a long process and maintaining it is an ongoing job, so it would be a good idea to have a long-term partnership. Seo service
The wise will not be disappointed
Our practice so far has shown that you have to be ready for change, both in ideas and in budget.
Kodulehe tegemine on justkui remondi tegemine – asjad ei kipu minema plaanipäraselt.
To avoid this, the best solution is to do as much upfront work as possible in cooperation with the website developers. Communicate thoroughly and analyse agreements carefully. To do this, we have divided our work into several stages, so that after each stage we can take some time out with the client to review together what has been done so far and see how satisfied the client is. It’s easier and more cost-effective to make changes as early as possible. Good communication and cooperation prevents bad surprises and budget shortfalls.
Think ahead
There’s no better feeling than when something gets done! But when you order a website, you should already be thinking about what will happen after the new page is up.
Who will manage the site in the future?
What are the future monthly costs for the website? How often should the site be maintained(website maintenance) and what does this involve? These are questions that should be asked from the very beginning. A good partner will teach you how to look after your website.
When planning a new website, don’t just start from the current state of the business. Every business is built to grow, and a new website should take into account future needs and opportunities. If, six months after the new website has been completed, you need some new functionality on the site or the number of shoppers in your e-shop multiplies, but your website from a few months ago can’t cope, you may be in for a bad surprise.
To sum up
When ordering a website, define your ideas and wishes, then carefully find a good partner whose previous work you are happy with and who is a pleasure to communicate with. Thoroughly research the proposal you have made and make sure your needs are covered. Start planning your website early, because good things take time, and rushing things too much can damage the end result or blow your budget. Don’t forget the content of the website – the texts – who writes them and who puts them on the website. Ask the web developer if the website they are developing is SEO friendly and find out early on what will happen once the website is up and how it will be maintained and managed.
One final suggestion. Even if you don’t know exactly what you need, but you know that the page is out of date – contact a specialist. Discuss your thoughts, hesitations and doubts with an expert, because an expert is also the person who can help you to get your ideas moving if you can’t formulate everything yourself. Together, you can think things through and get the best result!
If you’re thinking about a new website, we’re here to help! Contact us for a free consultation!
