How To Prepare For CMS Website Design
On this page we’ll discuss how you should Prepare for the CMS Website Design Process and what will be expected from you.
1. Website Text ie “Content”
A Website Designer will seldom already know your business and what needs to be said about it, so the text for the site needs to come from you. The text does Not need to be complete or perfect as space and editing later will refine that.
Once you have decided on page count that process should have clearly defined what each page will be about. “About Us” is clearly about your company and personel and so on. Your CMS Website Designer will also work on keeping that defined.
Some points to keep in mind when writing your text:
A. Use your Keywords when you can but stay focused on your topic. This helps later with Search Engine Submission. I am sure you’ve noticed how we say “cms website design” “website hosting” “search engine submission” in our text, because those are our Keywords. The keywords can also include Locations your business serves if that’s a specific area. (”world wide web” or “Internet” are not generally keywords because that’s Assumed already)
B. Be conversational, friendly. Avoid Demands. Avoid bashing competition, avoid even using their names. If showing you are better then a competitor in a specific way say Why in a positive way without saying their name or being negative, your visitor likely already knows who you are referring to. (also keeps you from getting sued silly)
C. Sound Accessible, easy to reach, Attentive. People are often affraid to contact Only because they know they can’t stand up to a high pressure sales pitch. If you’re in sales you’ll know a “Railroaded” sale won’t stand up…it becomes a chargeback.
2. Pictures for your Website
Most clients want pictures of their products or stock pics of their topic or even a Self Pic, and thats cool. Your CMS Website Designer will have you eMail them or send a CD with them. If you don’t have Pictures that’s fine too as most Designers have a Huge stock already on hand. Beware… If you are wanting your Designer to Scan photos, we all charge a premium for that. Go to Kinkos! Trust me, it’s far cheaper.
When sending pictures do as little editing as you can to them because the Website Designer likely has much better graphics programs and experience in editing them and it also gives the Designer more freedom in sizing. Send them Big, bigger the better for the most part. Do not crop anything, it’s far better to just ask the Designer to cut something/someone out. And yes, we Can airbrush those self pics to 10 years younger. Make sure the self pic fits the site, do not do a sexy self pic if your website is professional unless you are that type of “professional”
As for Format, BMP makes any Web Designer happy but send the best quality you have and let the Designer work their magic on them.
3. CMS Website Design Colors
We cover this more on our “How To Pick Website Design Colors” page but generally it will be your favorite color with compatible colors.
4. CMS Website Design Layouts
We have a lot of layout options Here, but it really helps the Website Designer if you show them some examples of other sites you’ve seen that you liked all or even part of. This is the Fastest way for the Designer to know your style and personality. Your site likely will not look exactly like those but will have the same “Feel”.
5. Logo & Catch Phrase
Your Website Designer can convert your Logo to a web format if you already have one or will create one for you for the Website and for print or even the side of your truck.
One Catch Phrase per website please! This is usually by your Logo or top of website. More than one Catch Phrase confuses website visitors to no end and negates the effect of all. (and could really annoy your Designer who has to try to Fit another in somewhere)
If you would like more information about our professional Website Design, Website Hosting or Search Engine Submission services please feel free to call us!
