 The Living Web Site -
The Purpose - Part 4
By Jan Eden of CEO In Training
Living Web Site must focus on “What is in it for the
valued visitor?” In order to avoid losing focus of this, you need to secure a
reputable web developer to create your site.
The best web developer to hire is an experienced one who is
technically-trained in all web development disciplines, including multimedia and
photography -- or be aligned with a multimedia expert and a professional photographer.
Look for one that fully understands what you and your company are all about and is
committed to becoming one with you and your web site.
Your web developer must be an experienced graphic artist and know how
to edit efficiently or be aligned with a reputable graphic artist and editor. They must
understand the significance of web marketing strategies and know how to implement these
strategies; or the developer should be able to recommend a web sales and marketing expert.
Make sure the web developer you hire is prepared to maintain your web
site on a monthly basis with a signed maintenance contract setting out exactly what will
satisfy your living web site requirements. Monthly maintenance is critical, otherwise your
living web site will quickly become obsolete, and you will instantly lose credibility.
When I began writing this series of articles several months ago, I knew
I was out of integrity. I was not able to make the changes myself and did not have a
living web site developer in place with a monthly web site maintenance contract. What was
missing on my web site was current updated information that would be of interest to my
repeat and new visitors, plus the current date signifying when the living web site was
updated. As an authority, writing about this new web site interpretation, I knew I would
be called on the fact that my web site was deficient. I would like to take this
opportunity to thank the valued visitor who, after reading the first article of this
series, checked out my web site and found it to be obsolete and called me on it.
So many web site owners are held hostage by their own inability to
understand the mechanisms required to make even simple web site changes. This is where a
reliable web developer is vital. Realistically, your valued visitor does not care why a
web site is lacking, they just know it is when it is. Remember -- first impressions rule.
What are the pertinent questions you need to ask before hiring a web
site developer?
- What level of technical education has been achieved?
- Where have they obtained their web development knowledge?
- What web development format is used?
- What are the long term advantages and disadvantages of this format?
- What is their web site development specialty?
- What is their web site development deficiency?
- What web site distinction sets them apart?
- Do they offer web sales and marketing strategies?
- What is the charge per hour?
- Approximately how many hours will it take to build your web site?
- How many web sites, to date, have they actually built?
- Ask to see examples of other client’s web sites?
- Ask for references from several web site customers?
- Request if a web site maintenance contract is offered?
- If so, how will the maintenance contract affect you and the future
sustainability of your business?
In order to secure the sustainable success of your living web
site, it is highly recommended that you shop around first to find a professional web
developer that aligns with your values.
Jan Eden, president & founder of CEO In Training
Inc., invites you to experience for yourself her unique marketing & business skills
& techniques by attending her complimentary monthly Introductory Workshops. Visit www.ceointraining.com for
more details and registration. |
