looking for a website but don't know where to start?
We hope this section will help navigate you through the terms, definitions and empower you to make a qualified decision before hiring someone to create your web site.
Things to Think About Before Hiring a Web Design/Developer
A few things to consider before getting started.
1) Ask yourself why you want a website. Sounds pretty straight forward enough. Maybe you want one because everyone else has one? Perhaps you are looking for new way to keep in touch with clients and customers?
2) Take a moment to check out other web sites (don't forget those of your competitor's!). If your market is Regina local check out what the other guys are doing. Expand to similar businesses in Saskatchewan and Canada.
If you work in real estate check out other realtor sites. Bookmark these sites and make a quick note off what you like and dislike about them. A few words on each is fine ie, "not enough detail", "great lay out and colour!", "too wordy", "kind of plain", "awesome" etc.
3) Think about what you want your website to do. Perhaps you are looking for employees and you want to accept resumes online? If you are contractor how about an image gallery to show off your latest work?
Ask yourself "wouldn't it be nice if..." and add these to a wish list.
4) Check out potential web designers and ask them questions. Call around. Do they offer support or training afterwards? What is their education and experience in website design and development? Are they located locally? Do they provide written quotes on their work?
Take a little time to prepare and it will make all the difference.
website basics
Basic Terminology
Web sites are a collection of files stored on a web sever. Visitors typically interact with these files from their own computer by connecting to a web server via a web browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer).
Webservers are computers where the website files reside or are "hosted". Web hosting companies rent space on webservers for various web sites.
Domain names act very much like addresses. They help direct users to your website's web server. Domain names must be purchased or leased through a Domain Name Registrar (we recommend Godaddy).
They are North America's biggest and most reliable dealer of domain names. We've been using these guys for years. They also provide a number of IT services for businesses ie, email hosting.
*Final note NEVER EVER sign your domain name ie, transfer your domain name ownership to a webdesigner.
This includes Regina webdesign outfits. There is no reason for them gain "ownership" of your domain name just to work on your website. Once you do this you lose total control of your online presence.
Trust us... keep your domain name. If they try to convince you otherwise FIND ANOTHER WEB DESIGNER!
Difference between Static and Dynamic Website's
Static Web sites have fixed content. Content changes are made directly to the web site files. Static sites are sufficient where content changes are minimal.
Dynamic Websites contain content that reflect user input or changes to the data source on which they are based. Examples include websites that utilize Content Management Systems (or CMS).
Our CMS of choice is Concrete5. It is very user friendly and we can provide local Regina based Concrete5 website support once your web project is complete.
Dynamic web sites are great where clients wish to make changes to their own site without the use of a web professional.
