Creating a website should be fun

One of the many jobs I do, is help businesses, and organisations, create a website to show off the work they do. I love helping others see their dreams come to life on a screen. Taking others visions and making them happen is a wonderful gift to have.

However, whilst to me, it seems quite easy to create a simple website to get across a person/business/organisation message, I’ve found that not everyone thinks like I do! So, that’s why I help people, through Manage Those Things, with those bits and pieces of stuff which they can’t, don’t want to, or don’t know how to do. (If you want to know how I’ve gained my website knowledge over the years, this post may help.)

computer codingNow, let me get this straight. I’m not a web developer. I’m not a graphic designer. I’m simply a project manager and creative person who can put other people’s ideas into action. Sometimes, I’ll work with a person alongside a web development team. I’ve also managed the web build projects on behalf of the client, once the brief has been confirmed, and act as the in-between person. The person who understands, (most), of the tech speak, as well as what the client is after, so can be the interpreter.

I also get some clients who spend so long developing their website, they don’t have time to create other things, or actually see clients. That’s really not the best plan! A website is just one tool you can use to show off your services or products, or is the place for your training course, or sharing your stories on a blog. It doesn’t have to be complicated, or hard. It should certainly be fun to create, and doesn’t need to cost a fortune. (You can create your own website for free, but be careful what software you use. Speak to me first if you’re not sure).

Creating a website should be fun

So, here’s how to make it fun, and not take up every waking hour:

  1. Know why you are creating a website. Is it to sell product; tell your story; share information; help customers contact you easily
  2. Once you are clear on number 1, think about the style you want to create. What will your ‘ideal customer’ want to find from your website. How can you make this easy?
  3. Create your menu – the list of headings you think people will need to find things easily on your website. You may need sub-headings too. Try these out on friends and family, and check it makes sense. Some people use a mind map to show the linkages between sections. (I tend to create maps when talking to a client, as it helps me show them how things link together even if they haven’t picked up the connections themselves)
  4. What colours do you like? Is this appropriate for your website? What fonts do you want to use? Keep both simple, but match your branding, so that people don’t need sunglasses to read your website.
  5. Write the words you want on each page. These may be explanations, or information about a topic. Again, keep it simple. People want you to help them, not confuse them!
  6. Find someone you can work with. If you’re creating the website yourself, you’ll need a friendly critic who will be honest with you as you develop the website. If you’re wanting someone else to help you, do they really understand you and what you’re trying to create? How do you know they’ve got the skills to create what you want? Can you see examples of their work, or speak to previous clients?
  7. Do you know exactly what the developer will be doing, and what you’ll be doing? Adding the content to your website can be time consuming. You can either do this yourself to reduce the costs, or, make sure this is part of the deal, once you’ve written all the words you want adding.
  8. Get all the photos you want to use in one place. I use dropbox, and google drive. It’s good to keep things in one place, and share them with others if you need to. Please make sure you own the copyright for all the photographs you use, or are allowed to use them.
  9. Set yourself some milestones and stick to them. Yes, you’re creating something lovely and shiny and new, but it’s not usually the main part of your work/business/life. Keep things in perspective. If you’re working with a developer, keep asking for progress reviews. If you’re not happy, tell them. Keep talking to them, and ensure you get what you want.
  10. Enjoy the journey. I usually find the questions I ask clients are ones they haven’t considered within their business. It’s not just the how to do something online, but things such as, “who will be answering this email”, can often be a challenge for a voluntary organisation if they don’t have a clear structure.

Some people find creating websites scary. I enjoy bringing them to life to support an organisation share their story, or help the next step of a business journey for someone. It’s exciting and fun for me. It can be for you too. Don’t be scared of them, there’s lots of people around to help. Me included, if you want to talk things through.

Just so you know, I use a technical web development team for any aspects of a website I can’t do myself. I don’t know everything, but, “I know a man that can” 🙂

Do you have fun when creating your websites? What would you add to the checklist if you were helping a friend?

4 Comments

  1. Gosh Tracey-Jane so many really great points, where have you been !! Love your idea of putting photos in one place and creating milestones, very useful thank you!

  2. So pleased to help. If you need any detailed support, you know where I am now! If you’re not having fun, it’s not going quite right! 😉

  3. The website developer creating and adding the content is almost an expectation in budget websites. If I develop on a budget I’m crystal clear on what’s included, but often clients ignore this. So for 2017 I’ve declared no more budget websites. If someone doesn’t have the budget for me to build with them a fully functioning marketing website, then I don’t create it. I too have to eat and pay bills, and there’s zero obligation for me to create for a pittance and work with clients who resent everything you ask for ie graphics, content… content…

  4. I’m so pleased you’ve said that Sarah. When people say what they’ve been quoted, I ask them how long they think it’s going to take to build to their brief, then divide by minimum wage. Websites can be money pits, but they don’t have to be if done in the right way 🙂

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