Tweed Web Design: What you need to know

Imagine having an extra business premises where clients, customers, prospects, and even employees, could find out lots about you, your products, your business and more.

Moreover, these important people can send a message to you twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and you don't have to stop what you're doing to answer the phone. Answer at your leisure

Just imagine the possibilities a website can bring to your business.

You certainly need an online business presence but what exactly does one need in a website? There's lots of options.
It's worth thinking about.

What Ten Things Must You Know Before Commissioning a Web Site?

...     How to Avoid Wasting Money     ...

>>> Let Tweed Web Design show you how to avoid the pitfalls:
Read on for the truth about small business web sites. How to save megabucks.

• Point #1 : Don't pay for facility you don't use. The purpose of any small business having a web site is to help that business generate income, or some similar business purpose. One of the most important criteria in generating profit is to minimise overheads. Don't waste money feeding some designer's creativity habit.

  Match your web site to your needs.
  Your designer should be available to discuss your personal requirements.

  Your web site should look professional but more importantly, it should match the purpose of your web site. You should be able to choose from a range of styles and types. Details on our F.A.Q. page.

  An online labrynth won't help your customers.

  Simplicity works for customers, forget expensive extras. Unless they are functional, they do absolutely nothing for customers. Small businesses don't need, nor can ill afford all the expensive bells and whistles, unless they actively demonstrate some aspect of your product(s) and/or are cost effective (as are Tweed Web Design's budget Flash websites).
  
  You need a good looking web site with well placed images to display your product lines advantageously. Functionality to promote your wares is more important than an overdone, or downright distracting design.
  
  
• Point #2 : Keep the control in the user's hands. It's nice to have a spectacular and really innovative web site BUT if your customers can't find what you sell they aren't going to buy it. Keep your web site user friendly. Web site visitors don't want to have to learn to use your web site just to buy something or find out product information; if they can't find what they want ... they'll leave, and that's that.
  
  Web usability is a sub-technology in itself. Your designer should be able to demonstrate knowledge of and proficiency in web usability techniques, including colour coordination and logical page layout.
  
  The KISS principle always applies.

  If your customers can't find out about the product you sell ... they aren't going to buy it.

  Simplicity both saves you money and generates income.

  If you want/need functionality and creativity, by all means use it, but don't overdo it.

  
  
• Point #3 : Make sure you are getting the latest technology.
  Formerly HTML 4.1 was the latest recommended web standard. Nowadays it's XHTML which is designed to standardise display across different browsers and applications by utilising XML extensible data techniques accessing Document Object Model (DOM) parent-node tree structure.
  
  Previously designers used slow downloading HTML 4.1 table based page layouts to embellish web pages but today the general trend, especially in business, is to provide a service that's at once quick and easy to use. Make sure that your designer is using XHTML and CSS (cascading style sheets) division layouts before they take any of your hard earned money
  Things change pretty fast in today's technological world. If you purchase yesterday's technology it means that the web site will only function as long as web browsers like Internet Explorer and Firefox continue to support its technology. Make sure your designer is skilled in writing XHTML. HTML 4.0 or 4.1 is NOT the same as XHTML. Simply owning a copy of Dreamweaver does not give one web design skills.

  Remember, the older the technology, the shorter its useful life.

  
  
• Point # 4 : You should get basic search engine optimisation included.: A shop without customers is useless. You need to know ways of attracting customers to your business's web interface or you're not getting a good return on your investment. For more information on making people aware of and viewing your web site see our F.A.Q. page.
  
  
• Point # 5 : Your web site should display appropriately across a wide range of web browsers and web technologies. >>>

• Not everybody uses Internet Explorer 6 or 7: There are many people who use old versions of Internet Explorer to browse the internet.
  
  
• There are other browsers too: A growing number of people surfing the web nowadays use Firefox, the most popular web browser after Internet Explorer. A significant number of web surfers also use either Safari, Opera, Konqueror or Netscape.
  
  
• Some people can't see images: Don't rely on images to convey important information as there are people who are either blind or sight impaired who are happy to listen to your web site via their screen reader. These people are willing to purchase your product if they can hear about it.
  
  
• Some people can't use a mouse: The sight impaired and persons with nervous tremor diseases can't use a mouse. Your web designer should be able to demonstrate to you that he/she can build in facility to accommodate these people.

• Point #6 : Your web site should not look like an advertisement. People are bombarded with advertisements thousands of times daily; when people are seeking information, the last thing they want when they go on the information superhighway is yet another advertisement.

  Your designer should be skilled in the art of Information Architecture.

  Your web site needs to display contextual information that makes sense to your visitors. Information needs to be displayed intelligently according to IA techniques.
  
  
• Point #7 : Be aware of costs and changes in costs. You should be made aware of all costs and where extra costs may creep in. This scope creep is a double edged sword. You may find that you, the client are requesting unexpected revisions that inflate the original price agreement. Conversely, the web designer may may need to edit to the original task list due to unforseen technical difficulties that inflate development time.

  Changing your mind may be costing you and/or your developer money, maybe even a lot of money.

  A few little extras may be acceptable for your designer to throw in for free but try to be just as aware of scope creep as you would be of cost creep. After all, this web designer will probably be working with you on occasion for years to come; try to keep the relationship balanced. Contracts are always best but a written and signed agreement is probably enough to protect you both in the web business unless you're dealing with a large corporatate design firm.
  
  
• Point #8 : You need a domain name and a web address. Web sites all have a domain name like www.yoursite.com. This is your website's address so that people can go to your web site. You also need a server to host this address. A server is a big, commercial computer that stores web sites and serves up web pages to your computer for viewing online. Server costs can vary enormously, make sure you aren't paying very expensive rates unnecessarily.

  Make sure domain and hosting costs are quoted.

  Domain names and host servers cost money and this cost should be included in your web site quote. A itemised cost breakdown is necessary to show you what you are paying for.
  It may be wise to secure (and deploy) both www.yoursite.com and www.yoursite.com.au to avoid confusion as well as to prevent competitors hijacking your clients (perhaps even .net and .net.au domains dependant upon your budget).
  Tweed Web Design have extensive experience with domains and hosting and are happy to secure these at a realistic price. Some hosts prey upon the unsuspecting, charging outrageous fees for ordinary service.
  Feel free to contact us for advice on domains and hosting.
  
  
• Point #9 : You should have a schedule of milestones. Some web designers give the rest a bad name by offering web sites to clients and then taking "forever" to deliver the goods. You should have a development schedule drawn up (and agreed upon) before actual site development begins after the original engagement. You should be kept informed of developments at each milestone.

  Regular communication is imperative to keep you informed of development stages.

• Point #10 : You should be made aware of everything that is your responsibility. Unless you've hired your designer to write web copy or take photographs for you, you as the client are responsible for web content including page text and images. If you are not on time delivering these to the designer this can result in project delays that may also cost you money.

  The web designer should inform you, in writing of what is required of you and when. Try to deliver on time.

  Back to HOME PAGE ... or ...

  ... as soon as you're ready ...

Let us put YOUR BUSINESS on the Web ... NOW IS A GOOD TIME

What 10 unfounded notions prevent you from getting your business on the net?

                                     >>>    Let Tweed Web Design shatter your illusions    >>>

• 1: It might be expensive: Tweed Web Design create budget but professionally designed web sites for small businesses and individuals. We understand that small businesses can have a rather tight cash flow situation. We make site payments modular as they get built so you can build what you can afford and add to that when convenient. This way we can extend payment over a period of months if need be.
  
  Feel free to contact us to discuss your needs.
  
  
• 2: Is it cost effective?: At Tweed Web Design we understand YOUR reasons for being on the web. We RECOGNISE YOUR NEED to generate income so we help you make your web site productive. We're not here to simply sell our product, we are here to help you sell your product. Whilst we can't guarantee that customers will flock to your web site and spend lots of money, together we can craft your web site so it's predisposed to assist your business.
  
  
• 3: Possibly unnecessary: If you need to advertise, display product information widely, be easily contacted 24/7, generate extra income, compete efficiently with competitors, readily answer all of your customers' general questions without having to spend lots of time the phone, plus enhance your own personal prestige and that of your business, you do need a web site; it's anything but unnecessary.
  
  
• 4: We are short of time: You don't have to do much. We explain how web sites work and the general outline of what you are likely to want to include on yours. Just jot down what you want on each page, add in some photos to show to your online clients and let Tweed Web Design do the rest. We can help organise the photographer (budget or pro) if needed.
  
  
• 5: Maybe do it later: Procrastination is the ENEMY of productivity. Every day you put it off means that your customers are not only visiting, but becoming familiar with your competitors' web sites and purchasing from them.
  
  
• 6: We're not technically savvy >>>

• Don't know much about computers: Well you may be surprised but we don't know heaps ourselves, we aren't genuises, that's for sure, but we do know web design. Luckily, you don't need to know much. We do all the tech work and we show you how to access your web site so you can keep tabs on your baby.
  
  
• Never used the internet: No worries ... It's easy. We can show you how, and even where if you don't have a connection. People of all ages and all walks of life are enjoying the immense facility that the internet offers.
  
  
• Don't know how to use email: Even if you've never typed a line in your life, we'll soon have you in the 21st century sending short messages over the internet (nobody likes long emails). Tweed Web Design make everything easy.

• 7: I don't understand my options: We describe the details of what's available in non-technical language and help you to determine what's best for you.
  
  
• 8: I don't know anything about domain names and hosting: We will secure an appropriate, available domain name and hosting, according to your needs and wishes AT VERY REASONABLE PRICES.
  
  
• 9: I know nothing about FTP uploading: You get to relax whilst Tweed Web Design do all uploading via our high speed connection. All but extremely large sites can be uploaded in minutes once we've set up the upload parameters which usually takes a further 10 - 15 minutes. Easy peasey, no worries.
  
  
• 10: What about web site maintenance?: Tweed Web Design maintain your site when you want updates, and usually nothing goes wrong with modern web server technology. Today's host servers boast 99% online time. Tweed Web Design are here to help with every aspect of your web site.
  
  Please feel free to contact us for more information.

  It couldn't be easier. Everything can be organised by Tweed Web Design expertise.
  
  

At Tweed Web Design we Keep our Costs Low

We are not simply interested in selling you a website. Our purpose is to put you in touch with the website that works for you. We believe that by doing just that we will have plenty of word of mouth referrals that keep us in business so we keep our costs low (it's already happening), another incentive to deal with Tweed Web Design.

All our websites are built based on the latest W3C specifications for XHTML webcode technology. Our prefab web designs can often be easily configured to a style that suits your purposes, thus .

Tweed Web Design don't re-invent the wheel; in many cases much of the work is already done, you can choose your layout style, colours, etc; we individualise a site that's perfect for you saving the time of building your website from the ground up.

If you prefer to have a site built from scratch, to your own specifications, you'll find Tweed Web Design more than competent. You may even prefer Tweed Web Design to setup a template that you've purchased from another source. Whilst we can't guarantee offsite templates, we are happy to work with them assuming they make sense codewise

NB: some off the shelf website templates are created by designers who do not think ahead by commenting their code so that later modifications are a breeze. In some cases it might take hours or even a whole day to unravel what the web design industry refers to as "spaghetti code", in these cases savings realised are minimal if factual at all. Please be aware of this if you are considering using a website template. This can be especially true of some very attractive looking Flash website templates.

Usable and Accessible Information Heads Lineup

Among our main lineup you'll find a range of Web Designs, from one page event flyers and small online display sites ... right through to complex applications, Flash slideshows and clickable banners, e-magazines, image editing, etc.

We endeavour to make all of our websites user friendly so that the main focus is on easy usability so that visitors feel familiar and comfortable with the layout. Everything is easily accessed. We also endeavour that wherever possible we make websites that are accessible to the handicapped as well as to have all onsite information arrayed according to the latest researched principles of information architecture. We try to think in terms of Information Landscapes, which means that the entire website is designed to optomise your message.

Many Designs plus Monthly Specials

Check out our monthly specials just below the navigation buttons on this page and please enjoy a perusal of our list of almost infinitely configurable designs then contact us for your Tweed Web Design website and get the benefits of having your business on the net, don't delay, special offers cannot last indefinitely. You've gotta agree, there's no reason to wait.

Call Tweed Web Design now on 02 6672 8963 or send us an email, you'll be pleased you did.

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