<Venture Capital, Drafting>

<Introduction>

The moment will come, very early if you're in front of someone serious when the question is asked..."What can you actually show me?". And so it is that all your plan, concept and presentation evaporate and your comittment is on the line...have you actually got anything to show?

Its vitally important to put first pen to paper then finger to mouse to provide some sort of site draft and architecture. Its the best possible demonstration of everything you've been saying and as much of the work will come from your hand, essential to show your potential investor that you've got the practical application and comittment to get things done. Its also impossible to even request a team of more than one if you can't get your ideas straight. How will you ever get even the best firm in the world to produce your creation if you're having trouble doing even the basics yourself?

<Why?>

See above and try again...

<How?>

The best place to start is to do a flowchart of how you want your visitors or users of the product/service to be treated. This is sometimes called a "clickmap". If your user clicks here then they go here and do this.

Next, especially if you have a site planned, section it off. Quite simple really this. Decide first what the big buttons or links down the side (or at the top) of each page will be called. Obvious ones such as "contact us", and "about us" as well as the sections which will allow a visitor to navigate your project.

Then you'll need some idea, however vague, of how you're going to brand your project. Even if this is just a simple colour scheme you like its enough as a start.

Finally the hard part. You'll need to get this into a format (HTML for most projects) which will web-enable your ideas. If you are going to do this yourself make sure you use a proffesional product, and one which is intuitive. For HTML nothing beats Macromedia Dreamweaver as its the industry standard. If you feel the time and hassle will be self-defeating get a design firm who can do a quick draft sketch for you. This need not be expensive, especially if you use a specialist who'll keep it to the minimum required by a funder.