Tech Guys: Right developer can craft an attractive, functional Web site

RICK ANDERSON & MATT MCDONALD

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Once you've jumped the hurdle of selecting the right Internet service provider (ISP) and registering a domain name, you're ready to open shop.

The next step involves selecting a Web designer or a programmer to create the actual content that will be hosted there. This usually takes the form of documents written in HTML code that users can access with their Web browser.

The differences between a designer and programmer when it comes to developing a Web site may seem inconsequential at first, but finding the ideal code cruncher will have a significant impact on the functionality of your site and, by extension, a visitor�s ability to browse and purchase your products. Understanding the differences between the two roles is vital.

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When it comes to the Web, there are no clear lines in defining a programmer versus a designer, and in general, any Web developer worthy of setting up your store will have a smattering of knowledge on both sides of the Web developer divide. Designers should know less rigorous programming skills like Flash and Javascript, and programmers should understand the concepts of aesthetics, graphic design and layout.

Whether you opt for a programmer or a designer will depend largely on the particular demands of your site, specifically the volume of information your site contains and the frequency with which that information needs to change. If your site will contain only a few products with information not requiring frequent updates, you would be best served seeking the services of a Web designer who will produce static HTML pages, the best option for this scenario.

If your store involves moving lots of information around, high volumes of multimedia content or will require frequent and significant updates, you would be better off seeking the services of a qualified programmer. A programmer will be less inclined to create static Web pages and instead develop server-side programs that produce the Web pages on-the-fly from a database of information.

Either way, before you sit down with your selected developer, here are a handful of issues you should consider.

Site structure: It's helpful to have examples of what you like to show the Web designer examples of your preferences.

Materials: You need art for your Web site. You can take the photos and/or video or have someone else to do it for you.

Site copy: Providing your own site copy is something most developers will expect.

Ability to update site: Will you ever need to update the site? How often? You should definitely know this ahead of time, so you can factor it in to the initial setup.

Choosing a Web developer and drafting a contract will be easier if you are prepared with solid information about what you want.

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