metaglyph communication design - new york city - frequently asked questions : getting started

FAQ > GETTING STARTED

This is just a preliminary checklist to help you brainstorm, not a comprehensive planning guide, and some of these items may not apply to you. Feel free to email or call me at 917.502.8870 with any questions you may have, and I'll be happy to help. The better we can define the form and content of the site at the outset, the faster we'll get it online, and the less it'll cost.

Looking forward to working with you,

Ronald Gehrmann

Collect all materials (hard copy and/or on disk) you may want to include in the site. This can include text files, brochures, marketing materials, photographs, slides, audio files, logo and graphic artwork, and more -- you name it. The idea is to collect as much raw material as possible, then narrow it down from there.

Break your content into sections. Information architecture is a key idea here. What is the best way to logically organize your materials? Create an organizational diagram to visualize major areas and sub-areas as well as the links between them. Or create a simple text outline to organize your content into thematic areas. Use 3x5 cards to break your content down into page-size chunks, and arrange them in an organizational tree to clarify the structure of your site.

Surf competitors' sites as well as sites in general to get an idea of what works for you and what doesn't. Make an annotated list of URLs, so that you can systematically keep track of your impressions. Look at details like color scheme, graphics, type size, visual "density" of pages, loading time, etc.

Collect layout ideas for your home page, section main pages and lower-level pages. Sketch them by hand or dummy them up using an illustration program. Print out pages from other Web sites, and cut & paste elements you like to create your own look. Common page elements include logo/header graphic, horizontal navigation bar across top or bottom of page, vertical navigation bar in left margin, color bar along left margin, background color or image, and icons identifying different sections/topics. When designing your pages, remember that less is more, white space is your friend, and the information should dictate the form of the page, not the other way around.

Think about your timeline and budget. When would you like the site to be available to the public, and how much money do you want to spend? Keep in mind that the Web is a very flexible medium -- you can grow your site in stages. You can get a basic site up quickly and cost-effectively, then work on expanding individual areas as your time and budget allows.

If you haven't done so already, think about which domain name you'd like to register, and make sure it's available. Have a second and third choice handy if your initial choices are already taken. You can either register a domain name yourself or have me do it.

Think about which site hosting provider you'd like to use. I generally use Go Daddy: domain names for $8.95/year and hosting for $3.95/month. If you've already found a different vendor, I'll be happy to work with them.

What are your plans for updating the site? Will certain time-sensitive areas require updating on a monthly, weekly, daily or intermittent basis? Do you want to handle the site maintenance yourself or hire Metaglyph or another outside contractor?

Who are the planners in your organization, and who will be the liaison to work with me? Consider how you can best optimize the workflow to keep the process moving smoothly.

For search engine registration, collect as many keywords as you can think of to describe your product or service. Also compose a one-sentence (25 words or less) capsule description. Things change quickly in the world of search engines; many of them now want you to pay for the privilege of a listing. You may need to dig deeper in a given search engine's submission area to be able to register your site free of charge.

HELPFUL LINKS:

Keep in mind that putting a site online doesn't guarantee that people will flock to it in droves! A thorough marketing campaign is important, and should be planned from the start so it's ready to implement as soon as the site goes live. Beyond search engine registration, online options include site announcement services, newsgroup postings, mailing lists, Web rings and swapping links with related sites. Print options include mailings, newsletters, postcards and updating your stationery and business card with your URL and email. Don't forget to mention the site to customers, on the phone and in person.

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	FAQ > GETTING STARTED This is just a preliminary checklist to help you brainstorm, not a comprehensive planning guide, and some of these items may not apply to you. Feel free to email or call me at 917.502.8870 with any questions you may have, and I'll be happy to help. The better we can define the form and content of the site at the outset, the faster we'll get it online, and the less it'll cost. Looking forward to working with you, Ronald Gehrmann Collect all materials (hard copy and/or on disk) you may want to include in the site. This can include text files, brochures, marketing materials, photographs, slides, audio files, logo and graphic artwork, and more -- you name it. The idea is to collect as much raw material as possible, then narrow it down from there. Break your content into sections. Information architecture is a key idea here. What is the best way to logically organize your materials? Create an organizational diagram to visualize major areas and sub-areas as well as the links between them. Or create a simple text outline to organize your content into thematic areas. Use 3x5 cards to break your content down into page-size chunks, and arrange them in an organizational tree to clarify the structure of your site. Surf competitors' sites as well as sites in general to get an idea of what works for you and what doesn't. Make an annotated list of URLs, so that you can systematically keep track of your impressions. Look at details like color scheme, graphics, type size, visual "density" of pages, loading time, etc. Collect layout ideas for your home page, section main pages and lower-level pages. Sketch them by hand or dummy them up using an illustration program. Print out pages from other Web sites, and cut & paste elements you like to create your own look. Common page elements include logo/header graphic, horizontal navigation bar across top or bottom of page, vertical navigation bar in left margin, color bar along left margin, background color or image, and icons identifying different sections/topics. When designing your pages, remember that less is more, white space is your friend, and the information should dictate the form of the page, not the other way around. Think about your timeline and budget. When would you like the site to be available to the public, and how much money do you want to spend? Keep in mind that the Web is a very flexible medium -- you can grow your site in stages. You can get a basic site up quickly and cost-effectively, then work on expanding individual areas as your time and budget allows. If you haven't done so already, think about which domain name you'd like to register, and make sure it's available. Have a second and third choice handy if your initial choices are already taken. You can either register a domain name yourself or have me do it. Think about which site hosting provider you'd like to use. I generally use Go Daddy: domain names for $8.95/year and hosting for $3.95/month. If you've already found a different vendor, I'll be happy to work with them. What are your plans for updating the site? Will certain time-sensitive areas require updating on a monthly, weekly, daily or intermittent basis? Do you want to handle the site maintenance yourself or hire Metaglyph or another outside contractor? Who are the planners in your organization, and who will be the liaison to work with me? Consider how you can best optimize the workflow to keep the process moving smoothly. For search engine registration, collect as many keywords as you can think of to describe your product or service. Also compose a one-sentence (25 words or less) capsule description. Things change quickly in the world of search engines; many of them now want you to pay for the privilege of a listing. You may need to dig deeper in a given search engine's submission area to be able to register your site free of charge. HELPFUL LINKS: Selfpromotion.com Search Engine Watch Improving Your Search Rankings Search Engine Tips Keep in mind that putting a site online doesn't guarantee that people will flock to it in droves! A thorough marketing campaign is important, and should be planned from the start so it's ready to implement as soon as the site goes live. Beyond search engine registration, online options include site announcement services, newsgroup postings, mailing lists, Web rings and swapping links with related sites. Print options include mailings, newsletters, postcards and updating your stationery and business card with your URL and email. Don't forget to mention the site to customers, on the phone and in person.


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