1. YOU’RE THE CLIENT
Treat yourself like the client. I just rebranded Swell Studios and I had to do this, if not, nothing would of gotten done. Just like you do with clients, set guidelines, processes, and deadlines rather than just designing when you feel like it. Do this and you will feel confident you are on track, feel proud your are following the processes, and it will prevent your decisions from being swayed by your emotions or feelings at the moment.
2. WRITE ALL THE CONTENT FIRST
This is hard but oh so important. I know, its hard to write about yourself and your business but its on your website to display the information so you can inquire more business. Write that first then design your site around the content. Don’t do what I did for my first 2 Swell Studios sites and have a cool site but a bad way to display the content.
3. USE A GRID
In design, you always need a reason for WHY things are there. You don’t want a bunch of extra fluff. Google Grid System and find one that is best for you. There are SO many & are FREE! Using one will help you decide how to organize information and give you a reason for doing things.
4. START WITH THE BASICS
Don’t get too carried away with the glam and glitz your site can do (not yet at least!). Start with the essentials any website needs first – logo, social media, images, a navigation bar, etc. Get the essentials then add in your own glam to it. Its not a cool site if the essentials aren’t on there.
5. GO OUTSIDE
Get a pad of paper out, move AWAY from the computer and begin and use your brain and hands to dream and design. Dream first, get inspiration, than get to work.
6. DESIGN OVER TIME
It took me over 5 months to rebrand my logo, design a new site, get new business cards, etc. Rebrand or brand over time- don’t do it all in a day! Good design takes time. It allows you to think and make sure what you are designing is going in the right direction. Take breaks and let your design simmer within you before you go live.
7. FIND YOUR LOOK
Know what style you want and go with it. You may like lots of different styles and that isn’t bad. Be creative and follow through with your look all the way through.
8. DON’T ASK FOR OPINIONS
When you start asking lots of peoples opinions, be ready to hear lots of feedback. In my experience, I don’t do this. There are a few people I will ask for opinions but I respect them and we have the same taste in design. Just asking anyone and everyone could get you derailed and discouraged.
9. JUST HIT PUBLISH
Publish. Your. Website. Getting your website up is not the end. It’s actually the beginning… because a website is a work in progress. Yow will constantly be making changes and updating information. Your site will always be a work in progress.
Now go out there & do it! And drink lots of coffee, it helps!
