The time taken to prepare a web site design brief and research potential providers is well worth the effort. Unless you have an in-house IT resource available, or are going to try and build a DIY web site, you should send your design brief to at least three different professional web site designers.

The six main benefits of developing a clear and detailed brief are:

1. To help you clarify and write down all your existing ideas in a structured way. This is a big help if you are going to start your own web site as it will help guide you and keep you focused once you get immersed in the project.

2. To give the people who will be building the website a clear idea of what you think you would like. fore visit to:-www.thedesignbuild.com This will allow them to add their expertise and give you a 'reality check' on anything that is not as easy as you thought or potentially a bad idea. In addition, the designer will be able to build on your ideas with their own skill and creativity to deliver a website that is better than you imagined, and meets your objectives.

3. To give potential designers something concrete to quote on and think about. This will help them to see where they can add value to your business via your web site. More importantly it will help you to compare the prices and offerings of designers so you can choose the best option (eg an existing template design versus a completely fresh creative design).

4. To help you accurately plan and budget for setup and ongoing costs. As with any project, website and intranet development can cost more and take longer than originally expected. You will have a more realistic expectation if you have a clear brief.

5. To help your chosen design company develop your brief into actual design specifications that will provide a blueprint for what will ultimately be delivered to you. This will help guide the whole website development process and keep it on track.

6. To empower you throughout the design process to keep a degree of control on what is going on. While the designer needs to have freedom to do their work, you own the website. more visit to:-www.my-early-days-on-the-net.com If issues or disagreements on what was quoted and what was delivered arise, you will be very pleased you had things written down clearly and can resolve the issue in a professional manner.

Key aspects of design to consider are:

Strategic: outlines the longer term 'big picture' business aims of the site. This can include elements such as vision, mission, marketing, branding, competitors, and measurement requirements.

Creative: guides how the website is going to 'WOW' its audiences. Elements can include use of imagery, design templates, style and tone of written content, and how to weave the organization's character and story into the site.

Technical: outlines the equipment and capabilities the user audience is expected to have to effectively use the website. This is easy for an intranet where you know more about how well equipped the user-group is, but may be trickier for a public audience. Elements can include internet access and connection speed; and PC factors such as monitor size, processing speed and software.

Functional: outlines what the website will deliver to visitors in terms of the 'user-experience'. Elements include personalisation features, time-saving features and features for sharing information. It is important that non-technical staff are involved in this process so that the focus remains on the audience and not just the latest features in the world of web design that may not be relevant for certain audiences. Functional requirements are also more important if you are doing a diy web site build yourself as you will need to be sure you have the personal skills to build what you want.

The guide below can be used as a template to help you develop a comprehensive design brief. It will give you a good structure to start with and build on if required. For each heading add in as much relevant information as you can on your current business situation and the needs you have of your new web site.