Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

ADD GRAPHICS TO YOUR WEBSITE - without losing your mind!
We've heard it over and over again - adding graphics to a website is a GOOD thing. They can generally make your site more appealing, illustrate points or products, and provide creative icons for people to click through for more information. So you...
Choosing the Right Web Site Designer
You've made up your mind. You want to have a website to represent your business. The next decision to be made . . . who should you hire to develop your site? There are many people capable of building their own personal sites. They can put cute...
Focus Your Web Site... Or Get Out Of Business
Last November, I was jumping up and down absolutely excited about my new idea. I was going to create a web site filled with articles, links and resources on just about any topic you could imagine. This way no matter who finds my site and for...
The Core Elements of a Successful Website
It seems to me that many of you who are new to building websites are having trouble figuring out exactly what makes the difference between a website that's effective and one that doesn't produce results. For example, I recently received this from...
Web Source Web Design Tips -
You can create special mouseover link effects by placing the following code between the and tags within your HTML code. A:active { color:#0000FF; text-decoration; } A:hover { color:#FF0000; text-decoration: none; } //--> In this example,...
 
Cheap Web Design

If you think it's simply a case of who will do it for the best price, think again.

As with many things we buy there are several important factors to take into account. For a moment let's compare setting up a website with buying a house. When you are looking for a new house it's not simply a case of comparing how many rooms you get for your money. In fact there are lots of factors outside of the property itself. What is its location like? How will it stand up as an investment? The same is true of a website.

Here are the things you need to consider:

* Cost * Hosting * Domain * Design * Accessibility * Marketing * Support

Cost

Cost is by no means the be all and end all but in a competitive market place it has to be a decisive factor. Before you start looking you should work out what you can afford to invest in a site. You should look not so much at the one off cost of having it built but the ongoing costs. When you get a quote for having a site built you should ask about ongoing costs. Find out what you have to pay for your domain name, for hosting, what they will charge you for making changes to your site or adding new pages. Also, find out what marketing if any is included in the cost.

Hosting

Ask your would be designer about hosting. Be very wary of anyone saying "we have our own server". Professional hosting companies have lots of servers running concurrently from different locations so that if one goes down another seemlessly takes over. They also have greater security and fire protection. This means that your site stays up whatever happens. I have known small companies where their own hosting server is kept in the toilet. That is not to say that you should be wary of smaller companies but you should ask them who they use for their hosting. It's far better if they leave this to the professionals and outsource it.

Domain

Make sure you get a proper domain name. It is important that your domain is recognised as an independent entity. You should watch out for being given a subdomain. www.yourcompany.com is good, www.yourcompany.hostingcompany.com is best avoided. It's also important to find out what domain extension is best for you. Don't let a designer talk you into a particular extension as they may be getting a bulk discount. .com, .net and .org extensions are the top level domain extensions with the individual country codes coming next. Decide if you want to market to a worldwide audience (and risk getting lost in the crowd) or specialise in one


regional market (e.g. use a .co.uk or .us extension).

Design

Design is not just about a page looking pretty. Functionality is more important. Look at the designer's previous work. Is the navigation obvious? Do the pages load quickly? Is text easy to read? Look through their previous work and look at it with a critical eye. Try to find things wrong with the pages.

Watch out for templates. If your designer is using templates it not only means that they're doing minimal work for their fee but your site could be penalised by search engines for being the same as other websites. It's much safer to have a site custom designed for you even if it costs a bit more.

Accessibility

It's increasingly important that your site is accessible to all users. You want your site to display and function properly not only on a PC screen but also laptops, palmtops, PDAs, digital TV services, mobile devices and software for the visually impaired. If your site cannot be used by all of these browsers you are losing a large proprtion of your potential audience. Ask about accessibility and request that your site be built in XHTML rather than HTML (it's on its way out) and that it uses CSS for the styling.

Marketing

If you just build a site and don't do any marketing it will just sit there and never be seen. This is a mistake that too many people make usually through trying to cut costs. Find out what, if anything, is included in the cost of your design. Is your page optimised for search engines? Do they submit it for you? Will they give you any links? Optimising web pages for search engines is a key part of any site's success. There are companies who specialise in this but if your site is built in a way which makes it unfriendly to search engines there's not a lot they will be able to do for you. This is a crucial part of the design process and should not be overlooked.

Support

What happens once the site is built? Does your designer just say "that's it, finished" and move on to their next site? You should find someone you are able to talk to about your site and seek advice without charge. A website is an ongoing project and a good designer should never wash their hands of it.
About the Author

Chris Smith works as a web designer, developer and internet marketing consultant. For further information on design and free advice please visit Chris's website - Cheap Web Design (www.chris-smith-web.com)

 

Web Development
This web summarizes the complete life cycle methodology for web development: planning, analysis, design, implementation, promotion, and innovation.
www.december.com
 
Web Development
Professional Web site design, graphic design, and Internet development services.
webdevelopment.com
 
Web Developer's Virtual Library: Web Development Tutorials and ...
News, tutorials, and reference material focusing on technical web development topics.
www.wdvl.com
 
Open Source Web Development Tutorials - Dev Shed
Open Source web development tutorials, forums, and tools. Topics covered include PHP, Apache, mySQL, Zope, Roxen, Jserv, Zend, XML, DHTML, and Javascript.
www.devshed.com
 
WebDeveloper.com
Hello all, I am new to web development. I have an understanding of website development, but no scripting experience. I have heard of JavaScript, PHP, ...
www.webdeveloper.com
 
LevelTen Web Design | Professional Website, Flash & Graphic ...
Offers logos, web sites, multimedia presentations, and custom media. Quote form. Based in Dallas, Texas. [Requires Flash]
www.leveltendesign.com
 
Web development - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For larger businesses and organizations, Web development teams can consist of ... Since the mid-1990's, Web development has been one of the fastest growing ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Web Design - HTML XML - Web Development - Web Site Design
Web Design and HTML are all about creating a great Web site. Use Web development and Web site design to build Web sites that customers return to over and ...
webdesign.about.com
 
Agile Web Development with Rails—Second Edition
Dave Thomas, Mike Clark, David Heinemeier Hansson, Leon Breedt, Thomas Fuchs, Andrea Schwarz; Pragmatic Bookshelf, 2006, ISBN 0977616630.
www.pragmaticprogrammer.com
 
CYGAD's WebDevelopment - Welcome to CYGAD’s WebDevelopment! - The ...
CYGAD's WebDevelopment - The finest Resources for WEB-Design, WEB-Master and WEB-Developer!
www.webdev.cygad.net
 
Web Development Bookmarklets
Includes tools for viewing and testing CSS styles, viewing scripts and variables, and showing the structure of a document.
www.squarefree.com
 
SGI - Freeware - Web Development
Links to freeware web development tools, browsers, software, etc.
www.sgi.com
 
Webmonkey: The Web Developer's Resource
Resources for web site developers including how-to guides, code libararies, server technologies and authoring resources.
www.webmonkey.com
 
Web Development Tools - Web Developer's Journal
Tips on Web page design and development, HTML, graphics, scripting, favicon, development tools, Java, sql basics, building web sites, and much more for ...
www.webdevelopersjournal.com
 
Web Developer's Handbook | CSS, Web Development, Color Tools, SEO ...
Web Developer's Handbook is a list of essential web-sites, which make the life of web developers easier. Compiled and updated by Vitaly Friedman.
www.alvit.de
 
Ceonex Web Development & Web Design - Full Service Digital ...
Web design, web development, online branding, application development and other full service business solutions focused on prospect conversion and customer ...
www.ceonex.com
 
Cayenne Web Development - web design agency, Oxfordshire, UK
Specialist web design agency based nr Banbury, Oxfordshire, offering a complete website design and development service.
www.cayenne.co.uk
 
Web development mistakes | 456 Berea Street
When I visit a website, especially if it’s the site of a competitor or a prospective client, I like viewing…
www.456bereastreet.com
 
Web development mistakes | 456 Berea Street
Articles and news on web standards, accessibility, usability, and other things related to web development and web design.
www.456bereastreet.com
 
Anil Dash: Web Development Trends for 2006
Here, then, is a random assortment of new web development trends to be ready ... Web Development trends 2006: Überblogger Anil Dash maakte (een paar weken ...
www.dashes.com
 
 

 
Content Menu
  • 10 helpful tips to follow when switching web hosts

  • 10 shocking secrets nobody will ever tell you about having a successful business web site

  • 10 things you should be monitoring on your website

  • 10 tips for better web site usability and profits

  • 12 essential web site design tips

  • 12 tips for creating an artist website that sells

  • 13 ways to destroy your website

  • 15 website elements that attract visitors

  • about web applications

  • adding flash 4 to your website

  • add graphics to your website without losing your mind

  • aesthetics and web marketing

  • are web graphics stealing your money

  • asp web hosting

  • attract buyers to your web sitewith power words

  • a custom icon for your web site

  • a webmasters toolkit and tricks

  • a website design checklist

  • a web site to have or have not

  • bad web design activex

  • basics of web design principles

  • beginner guide to web hosting

  • beyond web usability web credibility

  • bring to life your ideal web pages

  • building an effective furniture sales web site

  • building a successful web site what not to do

  • building the website of your dreams not your nightmares

  • building websites using web templates

  • building web sites using web templates

  • building your own web site here are two critical points to consider

  • business benefits of the web standards

  • business web site content strategy

  • buyer beware web hosting registration and site building

  • buyer beware web hosting registration and site building all in one package nightmares

  • can they use your website in a tv broadcast about scams

  • can your web site win the tour de france

  • cheap website design dangers of cheap web design for your business

  • cheap web design

  • checklist for a successful web site design

  • choosing the right website designer

  • choosing the right web site designer

  • choosing your web design

  • cookies how to improve your website and learn from your visitors

  • create and deploy a website from start to finish

  • creating your first web site part 2

  • creating your own website for free

  • creative offline website marketing techniques

  • custom web site design strategies

  • designing a successful web site

  • designing professional web pages

  • designing your web site for all browsers

  • determine your popularity on the web

  • developing and optimizing your website let flash help you

  • developing an effective physical therapy web site

  • developing your website 10 tips for getting started

  • developing your winning web site strategy

  • dirty web promotion tricks 1 legitimate and malicious javascripts

  • do not drop your web site off the search engine cliff

  • do you really need a website

  • do you really need a web site

  • easy steps to website development and promotion

  • ecommerce web design solutions

  • effective web design

  • eliciting constructive website feedback

  • empower web clients increase your profits

  • find a hidden fortune in your website stats

  • first rate tools for your web authoring

  • five core elements to a successful website

  • five pieces of information you must include on your website to generate sales

  • flash deadly sins that can kill your web business

  • focus your web site or get out of business

  • forums should you have them on your website

  • four easy steps to establishing a website

  • free website templates top 10 things you need to know

  • getting professional website a cheap and easy way

  • getting your own web site quickly and cheaply

  • get it all with good web content

  • get your web site noticed

  • good web design the importance of navigation

  • good web design what is it

  • graphics for the web gif format

  • graphics for the web plug ins

  • hiring a custom website designer

  • how a custom designed website can help your business

  • how do we know when its time to redesign our web site

  • how much does a website cost

  • how not to be ripped off by your website designer

  • how to build a website

  • how to build your own website more steps

  • how to choose a website designer

  • how to choose a website design company

  • how to choose a web site designer

  • how to create a professional website in less than a week

  • how to create a website in less than a week

  • how to design and setup a website

  • how to find good web hosting

  • how to get more hits on your website

  • how to hire the right web design firm

  • how to keep your visitors 10 times longer on your web site

  • how to make your website a big hit

  • how to prepare images for your web site part 1

  • how to prepare your project before you order website design

  • how to save money on a website

  • how to set up a professional website on your own using web templates

  • how to set up your own website

  • how to shop for a web design firm

  • how web design can affect search engine rankings

  • html tips easy ways to make your website sizzle

  • if its done its done for make your website part of your business before you build

  • if you build it they will come not without web marketing

  • increase sales with easy to read web pages

  • increase the efficiency of your web design business

  • independent consultants take over web design

  • index

  • initial factors of web page construction

  • interactive content blogs forums and feedback what does your web site need

  • in search of webhosting first understand the industry

  • is there benefit to green in web design

  • is your site too slow why image optimization is critical when you create a web site

  • is your website legal

  • is your web site ready for its visitors

  • is your web site unfriendly parts 5 6 of 9

  • is your web site unfriendly part 2 of 9

  • learn from the masters of web design

  • make your artists website sell

  • make your website scream with excitement with java

  • make your web site super sticky

  • making better web graphics that grab your attention and load fast

  • making the business case for web standards

  • manchester united top of the web accessibility league

  • maximising web site viewability browsers

  • maximising web site viewability resolution

  • microsoft and webmasters

  • mini site or content based web site

  • mobile accessibility your website in the year 2005

  • my mother never had a website

  • my top ten list of extremely annoying web page design elements

  • new customizable javascript menu for web applications

  • new support for website and graphic design firms

  • now you have a web site have you ever heard of accessibility

  • optimal website design

  • optimized web page template

  • optimizing a website with flash

  • overview of web content management systems

  • part ii planning a website

  • pegasus infocorp pvt ltd offshore professional website design and software services provider based in india

  • pitfalls of web redesign

  • planning a web site

  • planning a winning website

  • plan your web site for profits

  • printing your website the right way

  • quality web site language

  • quick web site start up and promotion guide

  • rotator

  • search engine optimization and web site usability

  • sell your freelance web services to businesses that dont have a web site

  • should i make my own web site

  • should you bother learning html to build webpages

  • simple steps to finding a web designer

  • simplify your web site for clarity and ease of use

  • spice up your web site with javascript

  • starting your own website c cheryl a crossan 2002

  • steps of a project for a freelance web builder

  • switching web host

  • tapping into the visual stimulus of your web site visitors

  • templates website templates free website template newwebimage com

  • ten basic steps for building a web site that works

  • testing your web application a quick 10 step guide

  • the 4 deadly sins of business web design

  • the 8 most important website design principles

  • the core elements of a successful website

  • the critical importance of good web graphics to internet marketing profits

  • the future of web design what is dotnetnukee

  • the ideal web design firm

  • the importance of web standards

  • the need to have website design services

  • the newbies guide to small business web design

  • the new fa‡ade of web designs

  • the pros and cons of using templates for your business website

  • the straight truth about web site building tools

  • the topic of your website

  • the top 5 roadblocks to web accessibility

  • the top seven strategies for website success

  • the web site is not the end all of internet marketing strategy

  • this is why your website isnt making you any money

  • tips for choosing a web developer

  • top 10 ways for web designers to find new clients

  • top 10 ways websites makes me suffer

  • top mistakes first time web developers often make

  • top ten fonts for website design

  • top ten things to ask yourself about your website

  • translate your web site and expand your market

  • translating your web

  • user friendly website hints tips

  • user lab to host west midlands web accessibility workshop

  • use cgi to automate your web site

  • victoryvisions the php mysql company complete website development company

  • want a sticky website that sells forget content

  • weave your own web

  • webjunxsion is foraging its way through the muddle

  • webpage tips

  • website accessibility

  • website accessibility explained what you can do

  • website designing web site design new jersey newwebimage com

  • website design info part 1

  • website design info part 2

  • website design strategies for internet marketer

  • website design website development flash design services

  • website development become your own expert

  • website maintenance what does it take to manage your website

  • website template usage beyond what you already know

  • web accessibility and your business

  • web accessibility making your pages friendly to people with disabilities

  • web accessibility myths

  • web accessibility the basics

  • web analytics getting it right

  • web content case study

  • web content how much should i pay

  • web designers beware

  • web design 7 key things to avoid

  • web design for the no talent artist

  • web design integrating e commerce

  • web hosting shared or dedicated which should you choose

  • web hosting to switch or to stay

  • web page real estate 101

  • web site designing pillars part2

  • web site design focus focus focus

  • web site design things you should avoid

  • web site monitoring is a global necessity

  • web site must haves

  • web site optimization how to optimize pdf files for web sites

  • web site optimization how to speed up your web site by minimizing your gif and png image bit depth

  • web site start up and promotion guide for professionals

  • web source web design tips

  • web source web design tips adding an image background to your tables

  • web source web design tips cascading style sheets

  • web source web design tips close a window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips creating an automatic drop down navigation menu

  • web source web design tips decreasing a websites load time

  • web source web design tips dont forget your meta tags

  • web source web design tips highlighting free for all links

  • web source web design tips how to make your background image stationary

  • web source web design tips open a new window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips open a web page in a new window

  • web source web design tips open a window on page load

  • web source web design tips reload a window with a button or link

  • web source web design tips selecting the perfect background for your website

  • web source web design tips using an image to create a line

  • web source web design tips using meta tags for search engine indexing

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to prevent browser cache

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to prevent search engine indexing

  • web source web design tips using meta tags to redirect

  • web standards part 1 what are web standards

  • whats really going on with your web site

  • what color is your website

  • what to avoid to make your website design effective

  • why a css website layout will make you money

  • why dot coms fail a webmasters perspective

  • why hire a professional to design your web site

  • why not to use web design templates

  • why resources added to a web site increase revenue

  • why use a web design template

  • why your business needs a website

  • why you need a web site

  • writing benefit driven web copy 4 steps to more sales

  • writing for the web four steps you cant ignore

  • www hosting web development empathise and create not bad p websites

  • your web site do it yourself or get serious

  • you too can have an amazing website