I’ve been making websites for many years now. I’d like to think I ask the right questions up front to make sure the client gets what they want and need by the time the website is launched. By following this strategy, web projects are more likely to meet the client’s vision and get done on time, and on budget.

A new website can be laid out and launched in as little as one day. Of course, something like that would mostly likely be a one page website with limited information. But I’ve done it.

Larger websites with hundreds of pages and more complex functionalities, such as eCommerce can take several weeks or even months to be finalized. Not only does content need to get added, but also lots of testing is required with several payment gateways, browsers and devices that access the website.

1. Visual design and UX understanding. You have to like to design and understand it. You have a reasoning for your design strategy – which is related to the UX or “user experience” on a website. You’ll place certain elements on web pages, like testimonials, not just for aesthetics or filler, but for a purpose, to instill trust for your visitors.
2. Coding skills. At the very minimum, you have to have a good understanding of HTML and CSS. JavaScript knowledge can help you stay above the competition too.
3. SEO and Google Analytics knowledge. Search engine optimization goes hand in hand with UX mentioned earlier. Where UX focuses on the human visitor, SEO focuses on the spiders like Google that are crawling the information on your website. Google’s intent is to list out the most useful content when people are asking questions.
4. Communication & customer service skills. Fifty percent of doing any job well is good communication skills paired with customer driven focus. If you have the skills mentioned in 1-3 above, and can pair it with taking care of your customers/clients, you’ll be successful.