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Dealing with web developers
Building the type of website required to conduct ebusiness is likely to demand the skills of specialist web developers.
Selecting the right developer is, therefore, crucial to the success of your ebusiness. There is no shortage of web developers to choose from, but the trick is picking the right one. To give yourself the best opportunity to select the right developer, you need to prepare a development brief that specifies exactly what you want done. If you have prepared an overall ebusiness plan, this task should be much easier. To prepare your own brief go to the NOIE ebusiness guide website and download a development brief template.
The development brief provides the prospective web developers with sufficient information on which to base a proposal to undertake the development of the website. It also secures an estimated quotation for the work, which would normally not be confirmed until the first stage of the project.
When seeking quotations from web developers, ask them to provide information about themselves that will help you make the decision as to who to engage. Ask them to provide the addresses of reference websites they have developed, the names and contact details of current and previous clients and be sure they state exactly who on their team will be working on the project.
You should also have the chosen web developer sign a contract that you have developed.
If you reach the point of interviewing prospective web developers, you should create a checklist of questions to ask. That way you will be confident of employing the one who is able to produce the kind of ebusiness site you require.
What to do
Consult the following online references for more information.
The Building section of the NOIE ebusiness guide deals in detail with the development brief, selecting developers and contracts with web developers.
Sensis, who produce the White Pages and Yellow Pages, has developed a very useful document entitled 'Planning a Business Website'. For more information visit the Sensis site and download a copy of Planning a Business Website.
The CARP Internet development Guide 10. Where can I get help? deals with web developers.
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