When designing a Web site for a client, there are several things you must understand about their business before ever putting pen to paper (or mouse to computer).

You need to know the direction the client wants to take with the project. Is the site for online sales or is it to advertise an idea or a service? This will ultimately decide how your overall layout will look.

Is this a Web site for Women, Men, Children, or Men and Women, Children and Women… ? This will decide the colors you will use, the style of the site, the type of objects displayed… You don’t want a bunch a flowers on a Web site that’s for Men, I don’t think you’d have many visitors.

Sometimes even location plays a factor. On the East coast and many places in the Mid-West, people tend to be more professional and business oriented, even in their everyday home lives. However, places nearing the West Coast are generally more laid back and relaxed, so they may tend to make purchases from places that show more of a sense of fun and enjoyment. This can direct how you create the client’s Web site. In California, even a Law office’s Web site may have a fun picture of the beach on it.

It may also be that the Web site’s “feel” should be directed more at the type of customer the client is used to having. A surf shop may see a dad walk into the store that doesn’t like surfing at all, but I bet their Web site is still all about surfing!

These are only a few of the many things that every designer should know before the first line is drawn. If you are in need a good Web site design company, check out Merchant Metrix, Inc. Whether you need a Custom Website Design or an E-Commerce Shopping Cart, Merchant Metrix can take care of you quickly and professionally!