W77 Web Design

OK, as the title suggests the brief, well it’s not the only thing but it will be the first step on the journey.

Get it right first time!

I know it seems like a load of  red tape and formal bloat, but it does seriously help.  Below in no particular order are some considerations to um.. consider, before reaching out to a designer or if creating a website yourself. This doesn’t mean that this is set in stone 99% of the time something will change or need to be changed, the objective is to guide your project along the right path.

Just a brief(no pun intended) simple outline of what your business does, history main competitors etc. It helps to paint a picture in the designer/developers head of where you are at.

Something like: “Microsoft has been established for donkeys, we employ everyone & turnover trillions a year our main competitors are Apple.”

Seems kind of basic & potentially obvious having a clear goal is key, write it down, hang it up , hell why not tattoo the thing on your loved ones forehead, just be mindful of it.

examples:

sell products

just to have an online presence

provide information for clients/visitors

You get the picture, its not war & peace we are after just a one liner.  The goal will also determine, marketing stratergy & or other features required for the website.

I mean if you simply need a brochure site which just details a little further info for your customers, your not going to need a full blown back-end database with a dedicated server & gigs of RAM & a small power plant to power it.

Your designer/developer will be able to provide a more precise plan & timescales.

Customer is key, aiming your site at your market not your taste is key, its like that property programme where the ‘always pregnant’ one(UK readers will know what I mean) gives out FREE advise only to be ignored because the developer wants to add a personal stamp on the place, what im trying to say is don’t spend 3k on a toilet when all your going to do is well you know!

Adding your favourite colour blue as the main palette when its a Manchester United fan site, kind of sets you up for failure.

Remember its a business, I’m not saying make it look like a beige lifeless box, just know what your visitors are like & tailor to that.

Your designer/developer will research your business sector & should be able to offer some advice on what to aim for.

I find this more helpful than your likes, so put it above!

Colours, fonts, shapes, people & websites that your really do not want to see in any way shape or form within the design.   You might like glossy and shiny web 2.0 buttons & hate hand drawn website effects.  It can save so much more time having this golden nugget’s of design brief information.

Is there a must have feature that your want, are you going to keep updating the site on a regular basis, prices, a blog, or you might need visitors to sign up.

What do you like or competitors sites that inspire you, it might just be a snippet or an element in a magazine if you like it mention it.  Design is everywhere when out shopping with my girlfriend I’m always taking a photo of random objects or looking blank & vague while being blessed with divine inspiration based on that cool font in a shop window or pattern on some hot chicks jeans back pocket.

What this will give you & the people on the project is the ability to foucs & get on with the job.  In most cases the project leader will detail what will be done & by when based on these initial pieces of information.  It’s also a basis of the working agreement, which is another subject coming soon.