Three things you need to know before talking to a web developer

This morning I tuned into an Out-Smarts Marketing podcast featuring one of my associates, Christine Rondeau of BlueLime Media. Christine is a self-professed “code monkey” who develops web sites, including my own Mud Creative site. Mhairi Petrovic of Out-Smarts asked Christine, “What do clients need to know before approaching a web developer?” Christine cites three main areas that are important to consider in advance of talking to a developer:

1. Determine what the content of your site will be.

All too often, I am called in to write a site after the architecture has been determined and the site development is well underway. The result is copy that needs to be force-fit – sometimes at the expense of the site’s usability.

2. Know what updates you will want to make.

Building a site is like building a house. Once the rooms have been established, it’s difficult to add on more rooms. Future pages, like a Blog or Partners page, can be worked into the architecture up front, and activated at a later date. Knowing what additions you want to make down the road saves a lot of time and money.

3. Know who your audience is.

Gone are the days of slapping up a brochure on the web. Brochures are generally talking about a company, not talking to potential customers. Consider your customers and what would involve them in your product or service. Might they be motivated by a contest, interested in a FAQ page, or more apt to buy with an easy-to-use shopping cart system? There are plenty of ways to involve potential clients, but a web developer needs to know what tactics you want to employ in advance.

Christine also suggests that you provide a list of sites you like and dislike, even if they are not selling a product or service similar to yours.

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