Julie Krefta ~ Web Design
Home Sites Why? Pricing Policies Contact

Do I really need a Web site?

Web Development

That's an important question, and one you really should answer before moving forward. Web sites can serve a number of purposes. A business card site can provide location, directions, hours of operation, and contact information for your business. An ecommerce site can expand your customer base. An online portfolio can give clients a chance to preview examples of your work.

But should you have one just because everyone else does? Well, maybe. In this information age, a Web site does provides a quick and affordable way for potential customers to find you.

Why should I hire a Web designer?

With page builders or WYSIWYG software, just about anyone can build a Web site. So why would you want to hire a professional?

Because a professional knows how to optimize graphics to reduce load time, understands the importance of clear navigation and clean fast-loading pages, and knows how to make a page that is search engine friendly. A pro can create a site that is cross browser compatible, meets current web standards, and doesn't look like a thousand other canned FrontPage templates already out there.

Anyone can build a Web site. Not everyone should. You only have to spend 10 minutes or so surfing the internet to see what I mean. There are many examples of poor Web design out there. To get professional results, you need knowledge, talent, and experience. What kind of image do you want your site to present?

If you decide against hiring a professional web developer, here are a few questions you might want to ask whoever does work on your site:

  1. Do you know how to optimize graphics for the Web?

    Poor implementation of graphics is one of the most common mistakes I see. Graphics saved in the wrong format, images that are much bigger than they need to be, and huge photos displayed as small thumbnails. These mistakes lead to slow loading pages with blurry images.
  2. Can you make a Web page attractive and readable across the various browsers, platforms, and screen resolutions?

    While Internet Explorer seems to be the most commonly used browser, it is not the only one. Your Web site may look different when viewed on various versions of IE, FireFox, Netscape, or Opera. In fact, a recent client of mine had an existing site where the navigation did not even appear in some browsers. While minor variations in appearance may not be a concern, at the very least you need for your site to be functional.
  3. How will you optimize my site for the search engines?

    SEO techniques have changed over the years, so make sure your developer has kept up to date. For example, any mention of the meta keywords tag should raise a red flag.
  4. Do you know how to best match my hosting needs with my budget?
  5. Can you show me examples of your previous work?
  6. How much time do you have to devote to this project?
  7. Will you still be there when I need updates?