STEP 1
Envision Your Goals
Before you start working with a web designer, you should have a clear idea of the goals of your Web site. Ask yourself what kind of Web site do you want. Having a clear purpose for your site, whether you’re starting from scratch or updating an existing one, will ensure more accurate estimates for the cost and duration of your Web design project.
If you aren’t sure how to categorize your site, use this list to help you describe your goals to our Web designer:
| Type of Site | Purpose | Typical Features |
| Brochure | Potential customers from around the world can learn about your company. |
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| E-commerce | Customers from around the world can purchase your products or services via the Internet. | Features of a brochure site, plus: |
| Marketing | You can increase consumer awareness of your company or your brand or services by strategically linking and affiliating your site with related sites. | Features of a brochure site, plus: |
| Database-driven | You can allow your customers to access their account data, search for documents that support your product, or learn more about products or services you sell off-line. | Features of a brochure site, plus: |
| Extranet | You can use your Web site to share sensitive or confidential information with your customers or suppliers in a secure fashion. | Similar to a database driven site, plus: |
Your Competition
One way to help us understand and estimate your needs is to provide a list of your competitors' Web sites. And be sure to explain which things you like and don’t like about these sites: we will use these preferences to develop a list of features, an idea of the “look and feel” of your Web site, and the scope of your project.
The Best of the Web
Don’t stop at your competitors when mining the Web for ideas. If you have a favorite site – or even a site you think is terrible – let us know. Knowing your preferences for features and styles of sites throughout the Internet will help us tailor a Web site to your company’s image and audience.