Creating a web page isn’t an easy task to take on all on your own. But you know that in today’s world you need a website to help market your business, keep an online blog or for a number of reasons. Even if you have website designing experience chances are you’ll need to work with web developers to have a fully functioning web site, especially for those with more complex application.

What do I need to know about working with web developers?

Prior to beginning the website designing process you will need to discuss your basic needs with the webdeveloper, or web developers. What is the purpose of your business? Do you have a logo? Do you have scalable art and photography ready for your site? Have you already written the content to build your site? The developer will need to know all of these things before creating a web page. And a graphic designer may be required for your project.

You may even have an existing web site that is not meeting your needs. Maybe it is free, and you want something that looks more professional, can handle sales transactions, or just more traffic.

What do the web developers need to know about my business?

The web developer will need to know about your current customer base, what you provide to them, and who they are. For example, an organic honey business serving local customers who have families will need a very different web site design than a business that sells in-line skates to young, single people across the country. The sites will have different functions. But they will also need to appeal to different demographics.

You may wish to show the developer examples of sites that you like, describing why you like their form or function and why something similar would be suitable.

What does the web developer do when creating a web page?

The developer will take the information from your interview and use it to help you select hosting that can handle your business needs. A site that performs thousands of sales transactions will have different hosting requirements than a site that primarily delivers written information.

The developer will then select a template or create a custom design that suites your needs. You will need to work closely with the development team to ensure that you both agree on the look, feel and function of your site.

The developer will then build the basic components of your site, beginning with setting up the technical components on the host server. Depending on what type of hosting you and he selected this can include installing php, a content management system, and a database.

The first page of your site is the landing page. And it will include the content that you want your customers to see first. The top of the page will have the information that you have indicated to the developer is the most important. He or she may ask you what you want “above the fold.”

Above the fold means the part of the page that will be seen when the visitor lands on the page, without having to scroll down.

Information that is above the fold typically includes your company logo, a search bar, and navigational elements. For example, menu links leading to your about page, product pages, shipping information, and shopping cart. These items will be the same or very similar across your site.

The web developers will then insert the photos and text that you have provided, resizing them to fit your chosen layout. At this point in the website designing process, the developer may consult with you to confirm that you agree on the basic design elements, before applying the finishing touches and presenting you with your website, ready for launch.