Web Development Process

Successful web development incorporates a variety of web related skills. It is very common for the average consumer to assume a web designer is familiar with all aspects of putting their message on the internet. When talking with a developer keep the following ideas in mind:

Web Design:
This is the area that most people think of when it comes to having a site created. The appearance of your website is one aspect of how users will judge the importance of site and thus the information/service/product you are offering. Unfortunately, quite a few website designers are not trained in other aspects of web development.

Search Engine Marketing (SEM):
Generating traffic to your website is the aim of SEM. Marketing your website may be done in a large number of ways including PPC, PFI, Social Media, press releases, etc..

Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
Optimizing your website has been an art form since the first search engines began to appear. In the early days this was as simple as submitting your site for inclusion to the search engine repeatedly to stay at the top of the results but today requires knowledge of duplicate content filters, best linking practices, and how to recognize trusted communities to avoid spam penalties.

Conversion/ROI:
Having visitors to your site without getting conversions is a waste of time and energy. Your specific conversion may be to sell a product, get signup's to a forum or have people signup for your company newsletter. Regardless, converting "lookers" into "action takers" is key to your online success.