7 Essential Steps Before Signing Up for a New Website

Launching a new website is a significant milestone for any business. It serves as your digital storefront and plays a critical role in attracting and retaining customers. For most businesses, website development and domain registration are best handled by professionals who specialize in digital services. However, before you hire a web designer, developer, or digital marketing agency, it’s vital to fully understand the contract you’re entering into and what it covers.

Here’s a guide to ensure you’re well-informed before you move forward with a new website.

Understand Key Web Terms
Before diving into the details, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with some common website-related terminology:

• Domain: This is your website address, like “yourbusiness.com”.
• Web Design: This refers to the look, feel, and layout of your website, along with the user experience.
• Web Development: The behind-the-scenes coding and building of your website that gives it structure and functionality.
• Digital Marketing: The promotion of your business through online channels, including ads, emails, and content marketing.

Knowing these terms will help you better understand what services you’re being offered.

Do Your Research and Compare Providers
Your website is an investment in your brand and business, so it’s crucial to choose the right provider. Be cautious of cheaper options that could lead to issues down the line. Working with a local provider might cost more, but it offers advantages such as easier communication and accountability when problems arise. While hiring an overseas provider might save money initially, it could be difficult to resolve issues if things don’t go as planned.

Be Aware of Ownership Issues
When signing a contract with a developer, ensure that you retain ownership of your website, domain name, and content rights. The only exception might be stock images or external content you don’t fully own. If the developer’s contract claims ownership of your website or domain, you could face difficulties when trying to make future changes or switch providers. Always aim to own your website and domain from the outset.

Get Everything in Writing
While your developer might register your domain or build the site for you, it’s crucial that ownership and control are clearly stated in writing. Ask upfront about any concerns and make sure the contract spells out everything, including how access, logins, and passwords will be handed over once the project is completed. Understanding the end of the agreement is just as important as the start.

Pay Close Attention to the Fine Print
Before committing to a contract, review all terms and conditions carefully. If ongoing maintenance and support have been promised after your website is live, ensure that these costs are clearly outlined, whether as a one-time fee, monthly cost, or hourly rate. Don’t sign anything that feels unclear or uncomfortable.

Clarify the Change Process
It’s likely that you’ll want to make adjustments after seeing your website’s first draft. Ensure the contract specifies how many rounds of changes are included and when those changes should be delivered. Also, confirm the costs for any additional changes beyond what’s included in the contract. For example, you may be charged extra for additional design changes but not for fixing broken links or bugs.

Avoid Disputes by Structuring Payments Properly
To avoid conflicts later on, try not to pay for the entire website upfront. Instead, negotiate a payment schedule based on milestones, such as domain registration, content planning, coding, and testing. This helps ensure that both parties are committed to completing the work as expected and provides you with leverage should issues arise.

By following these steps, you can approach your website project with greater confidence and avoid potential pitfalls.