You’ve determined you need a custom website built for your small business, and the time has come to meet with a designer or developer to get the job done. If you don’t know the first thing about coding or how websites are built, this can be an intimidating process. There  will be lots of new jargon to learn, and phrases like “server-side logic” and “white hat SEO” are going to sound foreign for a while. Fear not, though — SmallBusiness.com is here to help.

First off, know the difference between a web developer and a web designer.

Screen shot 2014-01-09 at 8

(Photo via Mike on Flickr)

Web developer: These are the people who write the code that makes the web go round. They come in two varieties, for the most part; front end and back end. Front end developers write the HTML, CSS and JavaScript that is responsible for the looks of a site and any user-facing functionality — things like slideshows and contact forms. Back end developers, on the other hand, write code that lives on the server; this can include  things like database management and application logic.

Web designer: These people come up with the actual design of the site, and figure out how it will look and feel across different browsers and devices. They usually code, but they don’t have to — it’s possible for a designer to come up with a layout that they hand off to a developer to do the actual coding.

Keep in mind that while these are the standard roles for designers and developers, it is not uncommon for people to overlap between the roles. Most front end developers, for example, have to know at least a little back end development to get their job done; likewise, even the most technical coder will develop some design chops after they’ve coded a couple hundred layouts.

Determine if you need a developer, designer, or both.

154393405

(Photo via Thinkstock)

This depends on what type of site you’re looking to build. Do you need a simple promotional website for your small business? A web designer should be just the thing. On the other hand, do you need a complex e-commerce site with different payments options, user management, and email newsletter integration? You’ll be looking for a developer, and you’ll need a front end and back end developer, at that — or someone that can do both.  If you’re not sure, it’s a good idea to go to the meeting with a list of things you’d like to be able to accomplish with your site and ask the developer if that’s in his or her skill set.

Don’t get caught up in buzzwords or specific technologies.

Chances are, if you read anything about web development or design that’s been written recently, you’re going to run into one or all of the following: HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, AngularJS, NodeJS or Ruby on Rails. While a basic understanding of the roles different languages play is good, and you should definitely make sure your website is being built with up to date best practices, shy away from urging that your site make use of specific technologies. Rather, have in mind the goals you want to accomplish with your site, and let the developer recommend the best way to go about achieving them. Similarly, avoid thinking that you need to use a specific platform. It’s been my experience that many clients automatically think they need a WordPress site, partly due to it’s ubiquity; while WordPress may be great for you, it should only be used if it is the best platform to fit your needs.

Do understand the basics of how the internet works.

You don’t need to know a single line of code, but you should at least brush up on the basics of how the internet works and what it takes to put a website online. A good developer will be able to translate everything into layman’s terms for you, but if you don’t know what a server or a domain name is you’re going to have a hard time following along. An hour or two of reading should be more than enough to get you up to speed.

Don’t spend time working on a list of features you want. Rather, spend time working on a list of goals or outcomes you’d like the website to help you accomplish.

87344366

(Photo via Thinkstock)

Software features can be funny things — sometimes seemingly small features actually take quite a bit of effort to execute well. Getting stuck on having particular features in your final site can add unnecessary cost and development time to the project. Instead of having features in mind, it’s best to have end goals — results you’d like to see from the site — and let the expert figure out the best way to get there.

For example, let’s say you want to grow your company’s email newsletter. Instead of telling your developer “Let’s put a popup on the site that prompts visitors to sign up for the newsletter,” tell them, “I’d like to drive more signups for our newsletter. What’s the best way to make that happen?” You’re paying them to be an expert in the web, so let them find the best path for you.

Don’t plan on cutting corners.

(Photo via smokingseagulls.tumblr)

Budgets for web development can be larger than you’d think. Just keep in mind that you’re paying another person, whose full time job it is to make and maintain websites. Websites take a significant amount of time and expertise to make, and whoever is building it should be compensated accordingly. Additionally, your website is an investment, a 24-hour storefront and marketing tool for your small business. A good website should make you more money than you spend on it.

 Do have a budget in mind.

All that said, everyone has a budget, and you should prepare some general numbers to be open to from the start. Being up front with a budget helps the developer figure out just how much he can do for you, plus it prevents you from being surprised by a big bill at the end of development.

Keep in mind that building and launching the site is only part of the cost of running a website. You’ll have additional server and maintenance costs. Most web development contracts contain an hourly fee for post-launch maintenance and changes, so be sure to check on that with your developer.

 Above all, keep an open mind.

Screen shot 2014-01-08 at 1

(Photo via Ante el Guernica on Flickr)

Remember, your site is for your customers, not for you. If you don’t like the design personally, but it fits with your brand and helps make sales, then it’s for the best.

 

Related Articles

5
Responsive Design: The Magic that Makes Your Website Readable on a Smartphone

You business website should use responsive design so that it can be usable to customers looking at it on any size screen

6
Did Your Business Website Just Drop on Google? Don’t Blame Penguin (Only)

While everything on your website may be Penguin complaint, it is possible that your site had incoming “fake links” that have lost their mojo.

7
What Do All of Those Icons Mean on Websites & Apps? Help us Update this List

One of our most popular posts explains what the icons on websites or apps mean.

8
Tips for Using the New Facebook Like and Share Buttons on Your Small Business Website

Facebook updates Like and Share buttons, updating the way small business owners use them as well.

9
10 Tips for Managing a WordPress Website

From its start as an open-source blogging platform, Wordpress is now a powerful website content management system. Here are tips to simplify using it.

10
Why You Can’t Delay Making Your Small Business Website Smartphone Friendly

Smartphone friendly infographic: U.S. Adults now spend more of their time online using smartphones than either computers or tablets.

11
GoDaddy Upgrades, Expands its Small Business Ecommerce Service

GoDaddy is announcing today an upgrade and expansion of its small business ecommerce service, GoDaddy Online Store.

12
Webbly Updates its Website Creation, Management Platform

Carbon is a relaunch of Webly’s web creation and management drag-and-drop platform.

13
How to Cure Writer’s Block When it’s Time to Post Something on the Company Blog

ideas for posts on your small business company blog

14
By The Numbers | Small Business Websites, 2016

A new survey of 350 small business owners reveals that nearly one-half of their companies do not have a website.

15
SmallBusiness.com’s Guide to Selecting a Web Host

Here’s the small business guide to help you navigate the twisted world of web hosting.

16
How To Test Your Website’s Performance on a Mobile Device

Nine out of ten people will leave a mobile website if they can’t find what they’re looking for right away.

17
Wix Adds ‘Artificial Design Intelligence’ to Its Website Creation and Hosting Platform | 2016

Wix says its new feature uses artificial intelligence and a human design sensibility.

18
Google Will Start Penalizing Your Website on Mobile if You Don’t Stop Doing This | 2016

To improve the mobile search experience, Google will start penalizing the use of mobile interstitials.

19
How to Hire a Developer to Help You Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly | 2017

Need help making your website mobile friendly? Here’s what Google suggests.

20
How Small Business is Using Online Marketing | February 2017

While they are using more online marketing tools, small businesses voice frustration, need for improvement.

21
What Percentage of Small Businesses Have Websites? | 2017

The law of small business websites: There are more and more every year.

22
Google Searching for Why More Small Businesses Don’t Adopt Digital Tools | 2018

From Deloitte research commissioned by Google, a snapshot of the state of digitally advanced small businesses.

23
The #1 Small Business Lesson From the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Data Breach | 2018

Facebook.com is home to only one business: Facebook.

24
Scholars Claim These are the Best Times of Day for Social Media Posts

What times are consumers more likely to engage with your social media posts?

25
Google’s Beginner Guide to Small Business Search Optimization (SEO) | 2020

From Google, a collection of search engine guidelines, best practices and a wide variety of the basics.