Having a website created is an essential step for growing your business, promoting your brand, or bringing a project to life in today’s digital world. However, determining your needs, working with the right professionals, and using your budget efficiently can sometimes be confusing. Where should you start, and what kind of result should you expect?
Here, you can find the basic steps to successfully have a website created and important points to pay attention to.
We can roughly summarize the steps you need to take in 5 main points:
Determine Your Needs
Purpose: Why are you having a website made? The answer to this question could be e-commerce, a blog, corporate promotion, a portfolio, etc. The person or people you consult with will primarily ask you this, so it is important to define your purpose from the start.
Functions: What features do you need? Product sales, payment system, blog integration, membership system, etc. You may not know the exact answer to this question, but you should have at least a rough idea.
Design: What visual style do you envision? Modern, minimalist, vibrant, etc. Technically, you might not know this, but you can mention websites you like or your competitors' websites.
Budget: How much can you allocate for the website? This is very important as it will be one of the main factors determining the whole project.
Do Your Research
References and Portfolio: Check the previous work of the person or people (whom we will call the "Provider") who will be doing your project. This will help you understand their portfolio, style, and competencies.
Expertise: Pay attention to whether the provider has experience in projects similar to your needs. For example, creating an e-commerce website might require different expertise.
User Reviews: Read reviews on Google, social media, and freelance platforms.
Narrow Down Your Options
Freelance or Agency?: Freelancers are usually more affordable, but agencies offer a wider team and a broader range of services. The main factor here is support; make sure the provider will continue to offer support even after the project is completed and live. It’s a good idea to speak to their previous clients to measure satisfaction.
Location: Choosing a local company can be beneficial for face-to-face communication and support. However, a remote team can also be very effective. In today’s world, location is less important, but remember that accessibility is key – being able to reach someone when needed.
Communicate and Get Quotes
Prepare your project description (desired features, delivery time, etc.). Get quotes from several companies and evaluate the price-performance ratio. When requesting a quote, make sure to ask about their “post-delivery support” (technical support, updates).
If Possible, Have a Contract
Prepare a contract detailing all aspects (design, delivery time, payment plan, maintenance, and support). This will prevent potential conflicts. The contract will be binding for both you and the provider. It will prevent you from adding features outside the scope, and for the provider, it will ensure that they fulfill their commitments.
Where to Start Your Research?
Google: For example, you can search for “web design companies in İzmir” or similar.
Freelance Platforms: You can find professionals on sites like Bionluk, Upwork, and Fiverr.
Social Media: You can search for agencies and freelancers who do web design on LinkedIn or Instagram.
Network: Ask for referrals from your acquaintances.
Remember, the most important thing is to do your research, review the provider's past work, and talk to previous clients. Even if the provider presents themselves well on the internet and their website, the most crucial factor is customer feedback.
What Should the Budget Be?
The budget for web design and development is generally predictable. The provider will tell you how many personnel will be involved and how long the project will take. You can calculate the cost based on:
Personnel number * approximately the personnel's salary * time (months) + company profit (estimated) + taxes
With this formula, you can get an idea of whether the requested price is reasonable or excessive.
Final Word: Good projects are carried out by good teams!
