Know-How Exchange : Website Critique

Hi MS,

Kind of confusing question because much of what you are asking for your website design agency should be providing or at least holding your hand through. That is what you are paying them for.

Creating a website in HTML, XHTML, Dreamweaver etc. is easy to do, and even easier to find somebody who can. However, the real value in hiring a competent agency is to create a website that drives pageviews into conversions, which for you is sales of your wife's art.

This begins with the creative brief which they should be holding the reins on, not handing them over to you which it sounds like they are doing.

If you want examples go to Google and search for "website creative briefs". There are 614,000 results, and briefly looking at the first page you should be able to find what you need there.

Closely examine competitive websites and take notes of what you like and don't like and see what your agency thinks of them.

However, again, if your agency is throwing all the responsibility of getting your project jumpstarted into your lap, I would be very suspect and would suggest you look at some other firms.

I hope that helps.

Ditto on others.

I've worked on many company external and internal websites. I always draft a creative brief BUT rely on filling the blanks during a kickoff with the web design agency.

Interesting, I've gone through 2 routes:
Inexpensive - basically just aesthetic design. Add your own copy. No creative brief
Professional - including drafting creative brief FOR you.

It sounds like your company wants you to do all the work.