 02.

Currently have a Website Host?

If you already have a website (or an account for a website but haven't set it up yet), make sure you research how to add your developer or designer to the account. Most platforms like Weebly, Wix, Webflow, GoDaddy, etc have user access with different levels of control. For your website, you will want to make sure your designer or developer has access to edit and publish the site. And if they are managing or connecting / transferring the domain - they will need access to the domain as well.

 03.

Gather your Text / Content

Website owners will need to gather their text into a readable, editable digital format.

The types of text you will need, should cover what you do, what your services or products are, your about information, your contact information, location details and any other information that would be in writing.

Send this content through emails, uploaded to Google Drive or within Word document files. These are often common methods for transferring text from the business owner to the designer, developer or SEO Expert. Always make sure you send this content right away so your team can work with your information accordingly.

If you don't know how to upload to a shared online drive or have text that exceeds an email size, you can zip your text in documents and send through email.

At last resort, if technology is a struggle for you - drop a USB or disc off for your team. Or consider hiring a professional writer for your content and have it included with your other content. If your development or design team has an editor or writer onboard, you may be able to hire them for written content that would take the place of your text.

Hiring a writer either on or off your team is probably the least troublesome and especially helpful for busy business owners or those who struggle with writing.

Above all, avoid handing your team a photocopy or image of printed text as this will more than likely incur substantial costs for you or extend your website's turnaround time. All non-digital text will need to be typed up by your design or development team.

 04.

Gather your Images

Website owners will need to gather their images in a digital format. Send images through emails or uploaded to an online drive like Google Drive.u se digital means to transfer images, icons, logos and photos from the business owner to the designer, developer or SEO Expert.

If you don't know how to upload to a shared online drive, you can zip your images and attach via email. Another option that can be considered as a last resort if technology is a struggle for you - take your images to your team on a disc or USB drive. Make sure your team has the ability to access the format you give them.

Choose large, high quality images to transfer to your design and development team.

Avoid handing your team a photocopy of images or actual printed photos or your team will more than likely charge you more and need extra time to process by converting the actual images to digital versions.

Another problem area would be directing your team to an existing website and asking them to try and gather the images that way. More than likely they will run into resolution and quality issues so keep that in mind.

And the last thing to note is not to use images you find online that you did not pay for. Make sure you have adequate rights to those images or you or your team could be facing legal consequences due to copyright protection. Most professional web development agencies have specific legal policies that protect them from client's use of copyright materials.

 05.

Finalize Payment

Like most professionals (Medical, Legal, Therapy, etc), web development agencies charge in advance. Secure your services with your design or development team by submitting required payment.

In the event your professional services are expensive, consider using a business card with low interest, a grant or loan or see if your agency offers a payment plan or financing options.

 06.

Maintain Realistic Expectations

Most professionally built websites take a few weeks. Turnaround depends on the experience and workload of the team you are working with and timeliness of shared content.

Remember that changing gears midway through your web design, SEO or development could cause major disruption for your completion date so have all your details, access and content ready up front to avoid complications.