Note: You may also like to view our article on project development processes and project planning & design.
Domain names
Discuss potential domain names with your client and use a domain name registration site (such as ukreg.com) to see if your preferred name is free. If it is, register it immediately. For a business that will "trade" globally look for a .com. If business will only be carried out "locally" choose a national domain such as .co.uk
Research the competition
Research the web sites of other similar businesses/organisations. yell.com (UK businesses) is good for finding competition. Borrow the best ideas and make a note of things you think are bad.
End-user profiles
Ask you client for profiles of their customers groups. Detailed advice on profiling end-users is here.
Design
Try to get a sense of the kind of design and look the client wants by looking at magazines, web sites and other materials. Many clients have already gathered together materials to show you. It is often a good idea to suggest a client does this in preparation for your first meeting.
Determine functional requirements
If your clients requires the ability to update or add info/products to the site themselves you will need to consider this in your design. Also if the site requires php forms, a database driven content management system, discussion forum or other server side application you may need to consider employing expert help and advice, and ensure you choose a suitable hosting company who will support the technologies required.
Collect materials from your client
You will need ...
- an idea of the required pages
- text for each of the pages
- logo artworks (to scan?)
- photographs
- anything else the client wants on their site
- video
- audio / music
Storyboards
It is important to design the look of your project screens or pages. This will ensure consistency of design throughout a project and also gives your client the opportunity to agree a look for the project before you start building it. You can read more about storyboards here.
You may wish to define and use a grid for your project.
Navigation map
Create a navigation map showing all the planned pages and the links between them.
Second meeting
When you have done all of the above, you will be able to arrange a second meeting with your client when you can agree the budget, plan and design. You will then be able to proceed with the construction of the site.
Budgets / Skills & equipment audits
You will need to create a budget, to give your client an accurate quotation and to ensure you don't undercharge.
An article on budgets and equipment audits is here.