In part two we discuss the importance of building a good site map, in this section I would like to discuss your budget and timeline…
Determine a Realistic Budget and Timeline
If you decide to outsource the project, this step alone can save you days and even weeks of time. First, it is important to think about the value of having a website for your business. Will it help you reach a new group of customers? Will it establish a new revenue stream? Will it serve as a key differentiator between you and your competitors?
Statistically, it has been reported that 7 out of 10 new local clients have already been to your website before coming to your physical storefront. If your audience is at a national or global scale, your website will directly impact whether people purchase from you or select another e-retailer after coming to your site.
Hopefully I have convinced you that there is great value to having a well designed and developed website. So now I ask the question, how much are you prepared to spend?
To better understand why this is an important early step, I’ll use this analogy…If you were having a home built, one of the first question from the contractor would be about budget. He/she would need to know what you are expecting to spend so that they could create a proposal that meets those financial requirements. Wouldn’t it be a waste of everyone’s time to provide a quote for a $1Million home if you are wanting to build a $250,000 house?
Erik Barnlund, Mavidea’s CEO
