Strategy
Ten Tips for Finding and Working With
a Web Site Builder
Most agencies will probably want to hire someone to build their Web site.
It can be a lot easier than doing it yourself. But before you start looking,
there are a number of things you should consider and be prepared for.
- Pre-plan your Web site strategy. Your Web site is for the benefit of your
agency and its customers, not for the site builder’s portfolio. Identify
your target market, site purpose, the content you want to include, and your
expectations of both the site builder and the results you expect.
- Prepare a Web site budget. Hiring the services of a Web site builder
will cost more than building the site yourself. Prices can vary considerably,
depending on what you want. Factor in ongoing site maintenance. For “ballpark”
estimating, ask other businesses whose sites you like and which may be similar
to your potential site, figure the average cost, and add about 30 percent.
- Consider hosting options. Depending on your needs and interests, you
can arrange hosting options independently or look for site builders who
offer the service. If you like your current host and don’t plan to change,
your will need to provide your new site builder with appropriate access
information.
- Look at other agency Web sites. Get ideas about what other agencies are
doing. Take note of what you like and don’t like. Think about what might
apply to your site. When the time comes, share your ideas with your site
builder.
- Look at many site builder Web sites. A site builder’s own Web site should
be a showcase of what you can expect. Read the text content for clues about
the site’s builder’s philosophy, working style, products and services, capabilities,
background, etc. Of course, peruse the portfolio, too.
- Consider a site builder with insurance knowledge. There are plenty of
site builders who have some measure of insurance knowledge or expertise.
What they offer could be useful.
- Avoid hobbyists and low-cost site builders. While not necessarily one
and the same, hobbyists and low-cost site builders often lack the professional
orientation needed to build the kind of Web site an agency should present.
- Consider third-party recommendations. A satisfied owner of a Web site
is a good testimonial and worth considering. Nevertheless, evaluate such
a prospect against your selection criteria.
- Interview prospective site builders. You can learn a lot during a conversation.
Develop a rapport, ask questions, check your “gut” feeling, request a proposal.
- Control and manage the process. When negotiating, outline your expectations,
determine site specifics, timetables, pricing and payment, updates and changes,
hosting and maintenance fees, etc. It’s your site and your customer satisfaction
that are at stake.
© Copyright 2002 by Sound Internet Strategy. All rights
reserved
