If you are looking to build an interactive website that is developed to handle conversions, you need to hire a talented WordPress developer who has proper knowledge and experience that can come in handy for your website’s performance, and let him/her decide who else (programmer, designer) to bring into the team. Before we get into the “WHY”, let me explain the difference between a programmer, a designer and a web developer because they are totally different professions.

What is the difference between programmer, a developer and a designer ?

A programmer with some experience with WordPress: that’s a WP programmer, in a nutshell. If a developer is an architect, the WordPress programmer is like a brick-layer.
A developer A WordPress developer can show you the right path to fulfill your considerations.
A designer is the person who visualize the layout of the website, the designer decorate a website to make them more appealing and user-friendly.

For example, if you want to develop a booking plugin on your website to make it easier for your clients to book. The designer will design how it looks, the programmer will write the code from scratch to build it, the developer will install it on your website and make sure it’s not effecting other elements of the website.

If you’ve haven’t already thought of the design of your blog/website, you probably have to consider it now. While a huge selection of professionally designed WordPress themes available to you from trusted sources like:

Theme Forest

Mojo Marketplace

Template Monster

Themeisle

My Theme Shop

When Should You Hire a WordPress Developer?

You should consider hiring a wordpress developer when you want a custom tailored design of your website, or if you are looking to develop a customer plugin or custom functionality which is bnot available on wordpress plugins. For any website owner it will be best to have a developer rather than having a programmer because they will help you with premium plugins and templates rather than costly coding.

Why Should You Hire a WordPress Developer?

Most of the new businesses use ready made templates, themes and plugins for their websites. This is an easy task, it doesn’t require any special talents, you can do it on your own. Other businesses want to take a steps further and to create custom and well-designed website which can convert traffic into leads, this is when a developer should get involved. Here are some reasons why you should consider hiring a wordpress developer if you want to build a successful website.

1. You’re forced to stay limited to selection of themes
2. You can’t change your site’s layout
3. You’ll have problems with custom plugins
4. Your blog could be shut down at any time
5. Server Resources

1. You’re forced to stay limited to selection of themes

While these third-party theme providers do allow modifications to their themes such as, the header or the navigation menu, changing the background color, that’s about it. By default your blog will end up looking like any other mediocre website/blog out there. By hiring a developer you can build your own theme, perfect the structure of the theme to align with your business needs. This solution might not be a good fit for individuals and start-up as developer a theme may cost anywhere between $20k up to $45k. For individuals a developer can help in making changes to the site layout as I will explain bellow.

2. You can’t change your site’s layout

Customization of a WordPress theme or plugin needs a good knowledge of PHP, SQL HTML, CSS, JavaScript and wordpress codex knowledge and techniques . You also need to understand the WordPress framework itself to be able to modify the files and functions to archive the results you want. You need to hire a web programmer to make your website in WordPress if you are aiming to have a website that follows your brand and provide the features needed for your online business.

3. You’ll have problems with custom plugins

Unless you have a small website, updating your website code, plugins, theme, security every day can be frustrating. If you are not looking to live in a world of continuous update notifications, then you should hire a web developer or a small agency to help you maintain your website.  WordPress core usually updates once a month, but some plugins can have daily updates, and to maintain your website will be 99.99% up, you need to keep an eye. Additionally if you need to make modifications to the theme or the plugins you are using, an update will overwrite all your modified files, a wordpress specialist can help you take care of all these tasks.

4. Your blog could be shut down at any time

Mistakes get made. Accidents happen. And your blog could get shut down as a result. Fair or not, it’s part of the agreement when your using WordPress.com. As wordpress is an open source, it allows anyone to contribute to the community, utilizing unrepeatable resources & plugins might fire back on your website once wordpress introduce a major update to the core code, or if the developer who is providing the plugin miss upgrading their code to follow WordPress updated version.

5. Server Resources

WordPress core and third-party extensions which include PHP functions and SQL queries, websites built with this CSM will require greater server resources. If you buy managed WordPress hosting, some plugins that are heavy resource consumer are banned. So you will not be able to install the necessary plugins to your site, because your hosting provider will not allow that, this is due to a problems regarding CPU usage and nobody seems to know the solution or even to identify of the problem.

The post Should You Hire A WordPress Developer? appeared first on Hamza Shatela.

How To Pick The Perfect WordPress Theme and why does it matter?

Choosing the right theme is important for your blog success. With WordPress you have the freedom to select between free WordPress themes vs premium WordPress themes. In-fact a lot of theme providers allow you to try the the as a demo, and then upgrade to the premium version. Before you get all excited and select a theme based on how the design of the theme look, check the technical aspect of the theme and try to find is the specs will support the website you are looking to launch. Keep in mind that every theme is tailored to a specific Business niche. In this article, I will help you choose the best WordPress theme for your site, weather your searching for a local business theme, Directory theme, E-commerce theme, personal portfolio theme or an agency theme I will cover it all. Then I’ll walk you through the differences between a premium theme and a free WordPress theme. Additionally, I will be featuring the theme that I use for my websites/blogs and which I recommend for my clients.

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1. WordPress compatibility
2. What Framework is the theme built on
3. Does it work on all browsers
4. Is it Responsive &AMP (Retina ready)
5. Is it HTML5 & CSS3 READY
6. Does the theme include a Smart loader
7. How many Page templates does it include
8. Font and layout options
9. Widgets
10. The size of the theme
11. Video tutorials and Documentation
12. Reviews and ratings
13. Check theme Update history
14. Theme Community
15. Does it include .psd files
16. Does it include a child theme?
17. Does the theme provide Support

1. WordPress compatibility

The first thing you want to check on is WordPress compatibility. Make sure that the theme you select will continuously be running smooth with the latest WordPress releases. Finding a reputable theme provider will save you a lot of headache in the future.

2. What Framework is the theme built on

WordPress Codex, Identify the term “Theme Framework” as follows:

3. A “drop-in” code library that is used to facilitate development of a Theme.
4. A stand-alone base/starter Theme that is intended either to be forked into another Theme, or else to be used as a Parent Theme template.

Bootstrap and Foundation by ZURB are one of the Framework providers, make sure the core based of the theme is a solid Framework to enjoy a sleek, intuitive, and powerful front-end framework for faster and easier web development.

4. Does it work on all browsers

Browsers fetch the content of a web page and render it for you to see. The W3C is an organisation that sets the standards for how browsers should render elements in code (HTML and CSS). Without getting too technical,  your theme should operate on any browser without issues, in any scenario, the website should look and behave identical. Selecting a theme that doesn’t operate on “Firefox, or IOS, chrome, explorer etx” will limit your audience to which browser your theme operate on.

5. Is it Responsive &AMP (Retina ready)

In a but shell,  Retinadisplay devices show more pixels per square inch, resulting in sharper images. As the Web is evolving and portable devices are the fastest growing market of the last decade. So, from smartphones to tablets and desktop computers, your website will be accessible and properly optimized for your user’s best visiting experience.

6. Is it HTML5 & CSS3 READY

Finding a theme to build your website on, save a lot of time and money, but as your website/blog grow, and you gain more experience in managing a website/blog you might need to add some custom HTML and CSS, so make sure the theme you select has a compliant, modern and future proof HTML5 markup and CSS3 styling.

7. Does the theme include a Smart loader

Every Theme include a pre-structured template for the necessary resources that the page needs to render. This structure will determine how fast your website load, as fetching usefulness resources in the wrong time will increase the page speed load time, find the theme which load only the necessary resources that you page needs. This will make your website super fast.

9. Font and icons options

Fonts can icons can be simply added to your website by simply uploaded a font .zip file from Fontello , Font Awesome , Google fonts or any other font-icon generator. Some theme do not provide an upload feature to the core code, you can still add this manually through an FTP, but it would be easier to upload from within your WordPress dashboard.

10. Widgets

A WordPress Widget is a small block that performs a specific function. You can add social media icons, optin forms, contact details, and any other website feature you have on particular pages. widgets are usually used in the sidebars. Themes which provide the Widget feature are known as widget-ready.

11. The size of the theme

WordPress theme market is highly competitive, theme developers cannot resist the temptation to add more plugins and functionalities into their themes to increase sales and compete on providing the user with a better looking end product. This is resulting in a huge file sized theme that has to live on your server, and some time you’ll have to increase the “Max Upload File Size” to be able to upload the theme files to your WordPress.

12. Video tutorials & Documentation

Video tutorials is not a widely used approach, but reputable theme who look up to their users, provide videos and explainers to help the user build a professional website.

13. Reviews and ratings

Reviews and ratings are very important when making the decision of purchasing anything online. Checking the reviews will give you and insight of current / previous user experience with the theme.

14. Template files

• home.php: the homepage template.
• single.php: the template for single posts.
• page.php: the template for pages.
• category.php: the template for category indexes.
• author.php: the author template, used when someone wants to find all posts by a certain author.
• date.php: the date template, used when someone tries to look at for instance a certain month of posts on your blog.
• archive.php: this template is used when either category.php, author.php or date.php isn’t there.
• search.php: used when someone searches on your blog, a very important template to look at if you’re concerned about usability, and whether people can find posts on your blog.
• 404.php: used when WordPress can’t find a certain post or page, this is a very important template file to have!

15. Check theme Updates history

The theme providers should have a page where they update their users with the most recent code updates and changes that has been made on the theme, so that the users can know what to expect or how to improve the website performance based on the new introduced technology and features. Checking the Updates history page is the best way to see how involved are the providers with this theme, and additional information such as updates track record, bug fixing issues, any many more details that you never would have considered checking.

16. Theme Community

When searching for the perfect wordpress theme for your blog/wesite, try to find a theme that has an online community. Being a part of a community will have a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common interests, updates, and collaborating on debugging and adressing challenges.

17. Does it include .psd files

A PSD is a Photoshop design file and it’s widely used for web design and works best for the design-to-code process. A web page is first designed in a Photoshop Document (PSD) and then converted to code (using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript). If you want to get a bit artsy you can modifying the PSD file will not change anything in the theme, unless you export modifications in the theme files (PHP, CSS). If you are not familiar with Photoshop, you can still make the changes directly in the theme files, which can also be modified, without having the PSD file, but your changes will be updated on the live site.

18. Does it include a child theme?

A WordPress child theme is a WordPress theme that inherits its functionality from a parent WordPress theme. Child themes are often used when you want to customize or tweak an existing WordPress theme without losing the customization you implemented every-time the theme providers update the theme source code. 

19. Does the theme provide Support

Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, you need a theme Support Team. Almost every theme provide Support, some is inclusive within the theme package and some charge a small annual fee. When you are selecting the right theme for your website, you need to make sure that the support team that you can rely on once needed. Here are some question to ask the theme provider before you make your final decision:

• How many days of week is the team support available?
• How many hours of day do they operate?
• Is the support provided my email/phone or on campus?
• What is their fee for continuous annual support?

What is the average price for a WordPress theme?

Prices ranging all the way from $10 to $200.

• The mean (average) theme price is $57.54
• Both the median (middle value of all prices) and the mode (most frequent value) theme prices came out as $59.

As it turns out, the majority of WordPress themes for sale right now are priced either exactly at, or around, $59, give or take $5.

What is the difference between a premium and a free wordpress theme ?

The difference between a premium and free theme is simply 1 thing. Every time the theme providers update the theme Core code, you’ll need to install the latest theme version to be eligible to use the updated code, this process is not done manually every-time, but through an API which is connected to your theme. Paying for a premium theme is simply paying for the API link so you can get continuous theme updates.

Theme that  I recommend

I personally use KALLYAS – Creative eCommerce Multi-Purpose WordPress Theme, and I recommend them to all my clients. Kallyas was created on the 23rd of February 2013. The theme is well documented, Include Layered PSD, PHP Files, CSS Files, JS Files, PSD. With continuous consistent software version update, and full Compatibility with all browsers such as: Bthethemeforestwsers IE11, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome, Edge.

Kallyas is great theme for ,agency, business, creative, dental medical care clinic, ecommerce, fashion magazine, graphic designer, health insurance, interior furniture, minimal portfolio, news blog hosting, personal trainer, real estate, retail shop, seo freelancer.

Buy kallyas theme for $69

Full list of Features for kallyas theme:

• WordPress 4.6+ compatible
• Bootstrap 3 Framework
• Amazing front-end LIVE Page Builder containing over 100 elements
• One-Click Data Install
• Responsive layout
• Smart Loader
• SEO Ready
• WPML Ready
• Translation ready
• Unlimited Sub-Headers
• Unlimited Colors
• WooCommerce Integration
• DummyData Included
• Unlimited Homepage variations
• Functional NEWSLETTER – MailChimp integration and adaptation
• Lots of different Kallyas premium features and plugins
• Huge variety of sliders (also premium licensed ones):
  • iOS Slider
  • Creative Slider (based on Revolution Slider)
  • Shop Sliders (based on Revolution Slider)
  • Fixed Sliders
    • Style 1 (Simple Slider)
    • Style 2 (Nivo Slider)
    • Style 3 (Wow Slider)
  • 3D Cute Slider
  • Fancy Slider
  • Circular Content & Circular Catalogue carousels
  • Static Content / Hero Scenes (huge variety)
  • Portfolio Slider Frames
  • Laptop Slider, multiple styles
  • iCarousel
  • CSS3 Panels
• 3 Portfolio Layouts
  • Category Layout
  • Sortable Layout
  • Carousels Layout
• Custom pages designs:
  • FAQ
  • Process
  • Contact us
  • Offline / Coming soon
  • Historic / Timeline
  • Testimonials
  • Team
  • Portfolio Item
  • Blog Item
  • Product page
  • Services
  • Careers
• Pricing tables
• Photo Gallery
• Bonus – Holiday page headers
• Animated Header
• Dynamic PHP Contact form
• Built-in Modal window system with auto triggering & multiple window types (iframe, inline content)
• HTML5 & CSS3 Ready
• PSD Files included (for main demo only)
• Great social media support!
• Lots of Built in styles
• Good Documentation
• & many others!!

Try theme demo

Finally, before you purchase a theme, go to the demo section and try it out. Check the functionalities which the theme provide, If your theme does all of  the point mentioned above correctly, you should be fine. Good luck with your new theme and on your new blog/website.

Try Kallay theme demos

The post How To Pick The Perfect WordPress Theme For Your Website appeared first on Hamza Shatela.

6 Tips to Help Improve your Website’s Performance

You’ve hired a developer to develop your website and s/he did a great job in transforming your vision into a functional platform. Now, you need to make sure that your website works on all devices on different browsers, and you need to make sure that your website contains the necessary files needed for it to perform well. To do so, you need to ask your developer these questions before the site is uploaded onto your server:

1. Is the website responsive on all devices, and across all screens on different platforms?
2. What is the performance level of the website on google and pingdom?
3. Does the website include an .htaccess file?
4. Does the website include a robot.txt file?
5. Is there a sitemap or .xml site map for the website?
6. Is the website indexed in different search engines?
7. Check pagespeed insight

1.  Is the website responsive on all devices, and across all screens on different platforms?

Test your website on different device resolutions i.e Mobile, Tablet, Desktop, laptop and across all sizes such as, 10″ Netbook (1024 x 600) 12″ Netbook (1024 x 768) 13″ Notebook (1280 x 768) Notebooks with touch (1280 x 950) 15″ Notebook (1366 x 768) 19″ Desktop (1440x 900) 20″ Desktop (1600 x 900) 22″ Desktop, 13″ MacBooks (1680 x 1050). You might even want to check the same screen sizes in these devices.

2. What is the performance level of the website on Google and pingdom?

Web Performance aligns with website design. If the design looks good however, it doesn’t mean that the website is performing well. Page speed plays a big role in website optimization and how fast your website is rendering. A slow rendering website might decrease your conversion rate based to a high bounce-rate of the traffic driven to your website, while a website which loads in less than 0.3 seconds is statistically proven to increase conversion rates and sales. To check on your website performance, use one of these free website speed test checkers to analyze the load speed of your websites, and learn how to make them faster. Tools like PageSpeed Insights provide you with tools on how to make your web pages load faster on all devices. You can also check Pigdom and gtmetrix or kissmetrics, find out which one works best for you and start optimizing your site accordingly.

3. Does the website include an .htaccess file?

What is .htaccess file?

.htaccess is a configuration file for use on web servers running the Apache Web Server software. When a .htaccess file is placed in a directory, it is loaded via the Apache Web Server, and then the .htaccess file is detected and executed by the Apache Web Server software.

WordPress uses this file to manipulate how Apache serves files from its root directory and subdirectories. WordPress modifies this file to be able to handle permalinks. This page may be used to restore a corrupted .htaccess file, and to leverage browsing cache.

4. Does the website include a robot.txt file?

Whats is .htaccess file?

5. Will your developer provide a sitemap or .xml Site map for the website?

What is .Xml Site map?

An XML sitemap contains all important pages of a site to help Google determine the structure of it. You want Google to crawl every important page of your website. That won’t happen if the pages don’t have any internal links to them, because it makes them hard to find. You can ask your developer to generate a .Xml Sitemap for your site, or you can generate one using a plugin if you have a CMS based website such as word-press.

6. Is the website indexed in different search engines?

After you’ve made sure that all the above-mentioned components are functioning well, now you have to submit the sitemap to be indexed in different Search engines. If your developer does not provide this service, you can simply do it yourself by visiting Google webmaster tools under your Google business account, and submit and index the .xml site map. You can repeat this process with the search engines that you want your website to be indexed on. Another option than Google is Bing Webmaster Tools and Yahoo Webmaster Tools, along with 100 other search engines that you can find online which might be popular in other countries..

7. Check PageSpeed Insights (New)

Wondering what more you can do to, check my Article on 100 things to do which will improve your website

The post Website Performance appeared first on Hamza Shatela.

If you’ve been comparing website prices, you’re probably wondering why they vary to such an extent. Simply put, understanding why a website is so expensive or cheap ultimately boils down to how its built to function and what its designed to do.

There are several factors that when combined, make for a great website and it certainly pays to invest in one. This guide covers some important basics on the topic to help you make informed decisions in a world where everyone touts professionalism. These factors include

• Website Design Pricing
• Website Design Principles
• Website Development Process

By the way, if you’re looking for a guide on top hosting providers, here’s an article that shows you how. “Top 10 Best Cheap Web Hosting Providers 2017 – 2018”

How Much Does a Professional Website Cost?

If you don’t know what to look for during the research process, you may end up confused as to why you’re receiving quotes that are so different. A quick Google search for “professional website design” yields thousands of results that you now have to sift through to find something that doesn’t seem off. Some results give you the low-end option of hiring someone to build a personalized, “high-quality” website for as little as $50.00. Then come the agencies that provide you with high-end website design services that range from the thousands to some cases, millions of dollars.

Here’s what I mean by the vast differences in website price quotes:

Obviously as the client, you’d rather not spend too much on a website. You may be thinking that it shouldn’t be that much work with the basics down – all you have to do is install WordPress and choose a theme. This can certainly be the case if you’re seeing a low-end return, and is not recommended if you’re serious about your brand.

What’s the average cost of a website in 2017?

Building a functioning website that actually makes a difference in your bottom line is neither as simple nor as cheap as some results on Google make it out to be. It’s a creative endeavor; one that’s based on a solid process relying on query, strategic planning, an actual talent for design, and an impeccable management and execution strategy.

Anybody can have the skill it takes to build a website, but a truly effective website design and development process means hiring people who are great at doing what they do – they have a creative spark coupled with the passion to actually build something worth putting out there. There are two options when it comes to building a website; low-end options and high-end options.

A. Low-end Web Design Options

1- Do-It-Yourself Website Builders

Low-end design is the cheapest way to getting an online presence out there, and fast. Some options come in the form of do-it-yourself website builders, where you use basic, pre-built generic themes that limit you to drag and drop content in set boxes on the page. However, you are doing a lot of harm to your brand if you opt to take this route.

2- Junior Web Designers

If your budget is less than a thousand dollars, your next option would be to hire a junior web designer. These types of designers are fresh out of college and don’t have that much experience or an extensive portfolio to showcase to their clients yet. These designers advertise themselves on websites such as Upwork.com.

B. High-end Website Design Options

1- Hiring a Senior Web Designer

High-end web design options mean hiring people who have experience and a track record of results (not to mention, a trail of happy clients). Your first option is to hire a senior web designer. Senior designers have plenty of experience and an extensive portfolio that highlights their work. Senior designers won’t charge as much as agencies do, and they often offer packages and individual services. Senior designers charge differently, but generally their prices are between the $1,000 – $8,000 range. While you’re doing your research, make sure that the designer is also familiar with building your online brand identity and is able to make consistent changes to the site as time progresses.

2- Boutique Digital Agencies

Small design digital agencies can deliver excellent work, and they often have experienced team members who work together to design several elements of your website. Each member may focus on one factor of your site to deliver the best service. This work does come with a heftier price tag; expect to pay upwards of $10,000 for a website managed by this small yet experienced team of professionals.

3- Established Branding Agencies

Professional branding agencies are established agencies that don’t just focus on web design. These agencies conduct a comprehensive market study for your business, and often offer multi-purpose maintenance packages. These agencies hire professional marketing experts who conduct a thorough SWOT analysis of your business and develop a brand positioning strategy for your business. Their teams focus on every angle of your project and vision, and execute their work based on statistics and facts. Clients who resort to established branding agencies are often established in their own fields and their websites tend to be more complex and targeted.

Which of these options is best?

Hiring a senior web design expert is the best option when you factor quality vs. price. Senior designers offer high-end results for a fraction of the cost offered by boutique or established agencies. Senior developers usually offer services that are similar to maintenance packages that you receive from agencies, but don’t break the budget since agencies typically start their packages at about $10,000. Startups and individual clients are at a disadvantage because that price is usually not within their budget. You will receive a similar final product with a senior web designer, but spend significantly less.

Consider the following factors for a clearer picture of the process. What we’ve covered so far is that senior designers, your best bet at getting good quality vs price, charge anywhere between $1,000 – $8,000. Before you make a decision however, you need to know what affects the final price.

Why it matters

Website design is a creative service that can’t be lumped into a fixed price. That can only be accomplished after you discuss the specifics with the designer. You receive a final quote only after the designer understands your vision and determines how and how long it will take to execute it.

Specifics include providing detailed information about your concept, agreeing on the number of revisions which could be potentially made, and the true scope of the work that needs to be done on the site. Asking a designer for a website’s price before you give that information is like walking into a butcher’s shop and asking how much the price of “meat” is. What type of meat, and how much do you want?

There are several factors that go into the price of a website. One of these factors is the designer him/herself.

• Where is the designer located?
• What’s his or her track record?
• Are you going to be charged hourly, or as a whole product?

The designer’s seniority tallies into the price because this individual has built solid skills and has the experience to get the job done. Web design, branding identity and marketing professionals use their experience to benefit your business and can address challenges with solutions that work for your business.

There are some common elements you can consider when hiring a website developer.

• What’s their reputation in the market?

Senior designers have built a reputation with other clients, and use this reputation to attract prospective clients. Ask to view the designer’s portfolio, look for testimonials and research their online reputation.

• Where are they based?
  Where a designer lives factors into the final price you pay. A designer in a different country usually advertises services based on the cost of living in his / her country. Some however, are now adjusting the cost based on the location of the client.
• How are you going to be charged?
  Many designers charge an hourly rate for their work. You’re paying for their expertise and their time and the project can range in complexity from a few hours to numerous ones. If that doesn’t work for you, look for a designer that gives you a set, fixed price for the work needed. Make sure to get the price and the deliverables in contract before hiring the designer.
• How much marketing analysis is going to be conducted before the work begins?
  The more in-depth the designer’s research and market analysis is, the more likely they will design a better-performing website. Senior designers conduct competitive research and this alters the price. It is well worth it to hire a designer that does this, as it is considered to be the cornerstone of an effective web design process.
• What is their process and revision policy?
  If you understand and agree with the process that the designer outlined for you, that’s a good start. A professional web designer should have a clear, transparent process set in place and shouldn’t make you feel as if you don’t understand. Ask about the designer’s revision policy. You may require edits, and this should be discussed prior to starting.
• Deliverables
  You may not be fully certain of the exact deliverables you want. There are different ways to display your site for example. The designer can create sketches of how your website could look. Sites can be horizontal (visually) or vertical, can take up an entire screen or just a part of it, can be static and dynamic, and so on. Ask the designer what deliverables are possible after you’ve explained your vision.

How can I actually use this?

Price factors can be generally divided into two main segments

• The designer’s logistics and seniority
• How much work is needed on the website

So what makes a good website then? How do you know if the designer has produced a quality, fully-functioning website that works, or if it’s simply a web page that looks pretty? You’d have to understand what the principles of an effective website design are, which leads to the next segment of this article that outlines the website design process in detail.

What makes an effective Website?

Truly successful websites take time and effort to complete and are often more complex than they outwardly seem. This is why for professional designers, the websites they build turn into personal works of art that they craft into something that works and is something they can be proud of.

What’s most important to remember is that it not always about how a website looks. It’s more what it’s built to do. Website design isn’t about how the customer likes it to look and is more about what works and how it works.  If your website doesn’t appear in search engines such as Google for example, all you really have is an image on the internet that nobody can ever find.

Five principles of Effective Website Design:

Understanding what you’re going to be paying for should justify the price you are paying. If you’re serious about your website making money, you’re looking for a one that’s built to be effective, not just a page that looks good but doesn’t appear in search engine results.

An effective Website:

• Has a simple, user friendly design
  A website doesn’t have to include too much design complexity and actually, shouldn’t. Instead, look for smooth navigation, call to action and a user-friendly experience. The design should be responsive on all devices its accessed by.
• It is memorable
  There are some websites that you happen to find and stand out as memorable afterwards while others are forgotten as soon as the page is closed. An appropriate website is simple and memorable, and users are more likely to visit again.
• It is Search Engine Optimized
  There is simply no reason to have a website online if it is not Search Engine Optimized. SEO means that you’re indexed in search engines so that when people look for services that you provide online, the search engine will place your website in the results of their search.
• Appropriate call to action
  The positioning of your call to actions should be clearly designed for their intended purpose. For example, you cannot use business-associated font, images or environment for a ladies clothing store.
• Understand the website design process

Most of the money that you’ll be spending on your website goes into it’s under-the-hood work. Although websites are browsed through in minutes, it takes days and sometimes months to finally produce a website that is fully-functioning and ready. If the process is executed appropriately, you can use your website with minor edits for a long period of time, saving you time and money in the long run.

The final part of this article walks you through the design process of your website. This part matters as much as the others because a website’s design greatly factors into the final price that you’re quoted.

Cutting corners or trying to bypass some steps to get your website built might seem like a good idea, but a process is set for a reason, and the necessary steps need to be taken or else the final result will not be as desired. All you’re doing by trying to cut corners is increase your risk and can decrease the website’s long-term benefits.

Here’s how the process generally goes:

1. The Design Briefing Phase

You’ll want to see a general blueprint of how your website will look, and designers usually have a pre-set questionnaire that they go through with you to get an idea of your vision. A designer filters the information that way, and receives an overview of your vision. His or her job is to execute that vision visually.

2. The Research Process

After the designer has received a general brief, he or she conducts market research about your competitors as well as research about your own brand and industry. Think of it as a kind of SWOT analysis. Furthermore, the designer builds an understanding how your target audience interacts with your brand. The research process is important because the designer generates ideas about how to differentiate your brand from your competitors.

3. The Brainstorming Session

With an idea of what you want and the appropriate data and research to highlight your vision, the designer brainstorms a series of ways in which your idea can be realized. You are a vital part of this session because the designer will suggest several approaches to your vision and will need your approval before they are able to start executing.

4. The Execution Phase

When you agree on a concept, a process of execution will be developed and execution of the site follows. Now that you have an understanding of what fundamental elements are needed to generate a successful website design, weigh it against the briefing and the strategy outlined. What remains is execution of the strategy, and this is the phase that takes the most time and work.

5. Presentation of Final Product

The final product is the amalgamation of everything that has been outlined in this article. You should have a website design that is targeted to be effective, simple, user-friendly and search engine optimized. Your brand looks different from your competitors, and you have effective call to actions and a working, measurable system in the back-end of the site.

Read more about website Design Process here.

Hire a designer that sticks to the process.

Now you know what it means to have a professional website, and what goes in to making your vision a reality. After you have read this article, you should have a foundation of knowledge as to why a developer or agency are quoting you such different process, and what decision works best for your online brand. The true strength of your designer or agency lies in their own creative talent; since creativity varies in each individual and one person’s execution of your vision can look very different from another’s.

Hopefully, this article has narrowed down your options and given you a broader understanding of the web design and development process. Choosing a designer shouldn’t be difficult. Make sure they have a good trach record of success and a solid reputation, and most importantly, one that you can trust.

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