Each Web site is unique, just as every business is unique. The important first step in designing a site to match your needs is to determine what your needs are. Sounds simple, doesn't it?

While we admit that it's fun just to jump in head first, play around with pictures, and put up a Web site (ok, so you're right: we don't get out enough), it's best to go through a series of planning stages that define exactly what you're going to want to do with all that color and noise. We won't go into all of the gory details here (if you're serious about having a top-notch WWD site, we'll tailor the process to fit your needs).

In a nutshell, here's what happens:

Determine the needs and goals of your site: why are we doing this Web site thing in the first place? How involved do you want to get? How much do you want to spend?

Map out a basic site structure: what goes where and how do you get there?

Pick your theme: how are we going to tie the whole thing together visually?

Design: create templates, custom graphics, optimize images, choose color palattes.

Test: hey, none of us are perfect. We probably finished that last page at 3 AM, and we may be spelling your mom's name wrong...

Launch: we make a big deal about your site, everyone hears about it and loves it!

Maintenance: because on the Web, if it's not up-to-date, you're losing business.

to get started on your Web project.