WEB DESIGN & CUSTOM WEBSITES

Corporate design · Logo design · Web application · Web design

What Does Your Website Say About Your Company?

Please take the time to speak with Global Live, and we are sure you will agree with us, that we offer a very unique opportunity for success. Targeting small to midsize businesses, we build and host attractive, state-of-the-art, industry specific web sites, providing business proprietors with an immediate solution to creating an online presence and all your IT needs. We offer comprehensive web site development service. Business owners are given the opportunity to economically establish an effective E-Commerce or customer education presence.

Times have changed.

The Benefits of doing business online

The benefits will very much depend on the nature of your business, and the extent to which you choose to embrace the technology! Although it makes sense to make the most of the features available, it is perfectly valid to take it one step at a time. It is not a case of all or nothing!

The choice is yours

You may choose to use only e-mail (at least initially). Alternatively you may decide on a website now, but not to use e-mail. Both a website and e-mail can be used to market your business on-line. When you’re ready, and it is relevant, you may embark on a full e-commerce solution.

Your virtual shop window

The internet is an excellent channel for promoting your business to potential clients anywhere, anytime. All they need is your website address, whether from a business card, an advert, letterhead, email or search engines.

It offers a cost effective and convenient means of keeping in touch with your existing client base and keeping them informed of developments within your business. And you can achieve this without visiting the printers, or mailing hundreds of letters.

A website will maximize your marketing investment, by leveraging this versatile and dynamic marketing channel which is the internet.

There is much more you can do with your website from gathering contact details and information about visitors to your site, to ultimately trading on-line. It becomes your virtual shop window enabling you to compete on much more equal terms with much larger organizations.

Communicate using E-mail

E-mail is not just an alternative form of communication, it also offers the potential for much more imaginative material, and the advantage of linking directly to the internet

• Efficient, interactive channel for communicating with customers and suppliers
• Efficient form of internal communication
• Customers can be kept informed of changes to your business through electronic newsletters
• Promote your website through e-mail by including a link
• E-letterheads / e-stationery can enhance your image
• COST EFFECTIVE – no postage, printing, envelopes

Establish your presence in the global marketplace:

• In the virtual world of the internet, your website is the virtual shop front to your business.
• You can provide your (prospective) clients with up to date information about you business
• Updates are instantly available to everybody, at a relatively small cost (no printing or postage)
• No write off costs relating to redundant promotional material
• Visitors can help themselves to information; anytime, anywhere, and as often as they wish – making them more likely to do so

Market your business online:

• Reinforce corporate and brand identity. Make your existing investment in marketing go further
• Advertise services and products
• Collect e-mail addresses and other information through your website
• Conduct market research through your website
• Promotion through targeted direct e-mail campaigns
• Build customer relations through personalised service
• Deliver targeted prospects to your mailbox!

E-Commerce: Open all hours

More and more people now buy on the internet because of the convenience and the variety of goods that are available.

• Your business can be ‘open all hours’
• Reduced transaction costs through online orders and, ultimately, payment
• Optional supply chain integration, streamlining your business

Why is Global Live your best choice for my website or web design?

Targeting small to midsize businesses, we build and host attractive, state-of-the-art, industry specific web sites, providing business proprietors with an immediate solution to creating an online presence.  With the experience of creating over 100 sites the last 12 years, we can handle just about any task or project.

When you approach a web company or freelancer, tell them your main criteria up front, including budgets and timescale.

2. How do I brief a web agency?

Think of everything! If you don’t specify it, it won’t happen. And if you ask for changes, costs will escalate. A brief isn’t legally binding but it will form the basis of any contract you draw up so it’s vital to get it right.

Make sure you include:

• Costs and timescale (is there a fixed launch date?).
• Background on your company.
• Detailed information about the structure and content you need.
• Your design criteria — give the designer your marketing materials and logo and show them websites you like so they understand what you want.
• The objective(s) of the site. What do you sell, who are your customers, what do they need from your website?
• Details about any search engine optimisation work.

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3. How much will it cost?

The cost depends on how long your designer spends on your site. So always ask for breakdowns when getting quotations.

Bargain basement websites may not fit your requirements. For a good quality brochure website, expect to pay around £1,500. Ecommerce sites cost more, depending on the nature of your business.

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4. Will the agency write the text and find pictures for my website?

It all depends what you agree. Usually, it will be up to you to provide content and design items such as logos and photographs of products or personnel, unless otherwise stated.

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5. What technical questions do I need to ask a web developer?

Ask whether your website will comply with industry standards. Make sure your site will be compatible with the main web browsers (such as Firefox and Internet Explorer). You should also make sure that your site will work with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

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6. Do I have to register the domain name?

A web agency can register your domain name, but make sure it is in your name. It’s easy to do yourself – and remember, your web address is your asset.

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7. What is a content management system?

A content management system (CMS) is the tool used to build your website. If you have a CMS that’s simple to use, it’ll be easier for you to update your site yourself – although your web developer may need to offer you some training.

Most web agencies will use an off-the-shelf package. This will keep your costs down and save time. It also means you can look after the site yourself and move to a new agency or designer if necessary.

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8. How do I organise handling online payments?

If you are planning to sell online, you’ll need to be able to accept credit and debit cards. Ask your web agency to advise you.

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9. What support can I expect once the website is built?

Ongoing maintenance and support needs to be agreed with your web agency. If you want to update the site yourself, you may need training.

To control costs, make sure the agency builds a site you can update yourself, otherwise you may have to pay every time you want to change something.

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10. Can my web agency help with search engine optimisation (SEO)?

SEO isn’t always included in the price of a website. An agency may tell you your website will be optimised, but make sure that includes keyword research, a crucial stage of SEO which is often overlooked.

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11. What should be in our contract with a web company?

Make sure you have the appropriate rights to copyright, design and intellectual property. And ask your web agency to sign a confidentiality agreement before revealing sensitive details about your business.

A good agreement will lay out how you and the agency will work with third parties such as web hosting companies.

Make sure you’re allowed to use the software and source code which makes your website function. You should also establish what rights each of you have to end the contract. Agree a dispute resolution procedure in case of problems.