So, you want a website to promote your setting. What a good idea, provided you are prepared to invest the time and, more important, apply the total mind power of your team. Many people, when they plan a website, seem to think a virtual fairy will wave a magic wand and take over. This won't happen. As with running a nursery, web success depends on planning and research. As a first step, here are some guidelines to set you on track.
WHY DO I WANT A WEBSITE?
For many, the simple answer is to fill more childcare places. That means you should focus on the information parents want, and talk to them in their own language - no jargon, no abbreviations. But this is not necessarily the only reason for going online. You might want to set up a local forum to share ideas or use your website to support a grant application. Or combine all these.
CAN I DO IT MYSELF?
If you are reasonably techie, you can do it yourself, but you must be realistic about how much time you can spare from your setting. The easiest option is to register with an internet service provider (ISP) that also provides a web-design package. Recommending one is tricky, as they come and go, but www.1and1.co.uk is reliable and offers a complete package, for as little as £8.99 a month. It is based on templates and easy to use, but don't expect anything very distinctive.
If you want something more individual, with your own colours and page layout, another option is to buy a software package like Dreamweaver, which costs around £300. To use this, you, or one of your team, will need to be technically competent and also have an eye for design.
WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE THERE?
You can commission one of literally thousands of web-design companies, from national companies designing websites for £20,000 to someone working in their bedroom offering a £500 deal. Having said that, you should be able to set up a website of five pages, with the option to expand, for £500-£1,000, if you plan carefully. There are many horror stories of organisations that do not manage the project, overspend and end up with nothing.
HOW DO I MANAGE MY PROJECT?
First, find a reliable web-design company. One way is to do an internet search using as key words 'nursery' and your county or city. That should provide enough websites for you to look at for ideas, and most will give the web company's name. Ring round the nursery managers for their feedback and you should have a shortlist. It's exactly the sort of advice you offer to parents moving house and looking for another nursery - ask the client.
HOW DO I HANDLE THE WEB DESIGNER?
Efficiently. Visiting other websites will give you a clearer idea of what you can get for your money. Now you need to assemble what IT people call your 'collateral', in other words, leaflets, logo, photos (with permission from parents), maps, policies, forms and so on. You are now in a good position to say: 'I want my website to consist of this and here is my "collateral". What can you offer me for (say) £500?'
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
Assuming you go to your first meeting prepared, the next stage would be a rough home page and a site map, which is a bit like a contents list in a book (to see what these are like, just go back to your favourite websites and take a look). You need to be absolutely clear at this stage that you like what the designer has prepared. So, take a print-off to the next staff meeting and perhaps get feedback from parents. If you change your mind later in the process, it could cost you dearly.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Barbara King is a web designer at Caboodle Solutions, which was set up by Newham Council and Steria Limited, the European IT services company, and works with small businesses and voluntary sector organisations. Ring Caboodle on 020 8430 4304 or e-mail Barbara at info@caboodlesolutions.co.uk.
DESIGNER FASHION
Clients are becoming more creative about their web content, says NurseryCam, which supplies bespoke websites to nurseries. Director Melissa Kao says, 'They appreciate that a lot of potential customers do their nursery research in the evening and they want to access as much information as they can. Many of the sites we design now include application forms to save parents time.' Customers can build their sites incrementally through NurseryCam's packages, making them more affordable. www.nurserycam.com
Web design packages designed by Parenta allow sites to be updated from home or work and can include virtual tours of the nursery, along with a facility for parents to access information about their child and accounts. There is an option to bolt on additional parenting information, such as childcare news and ideas for activities. www.parenta.com.
