9 Tips to Save You Time and Money
When Planning Your Website
1. Develop your website goals and measures of success
What is the purpose of your site? Is it to showcase the products or services of your company or to reinforce your current marketing campaign? Determine how you will measure the success of your website. For example, it could be by the number of new leads generated through an online contact form.
2. Identify your target market(s)
Who is your site intended for? Are they customers looking for information about your services or your company? Once you have identified each target market, try to think about the primary “action” they should take when coming to your site (search for information, review your services, fill out a contact form etc.).
3. Make a list of sites you like /dislike
Pick out a few websites that you like and a few that you dislike, providing reasons for both. Please note that they do not all have to be within your industry.
4. Evaluate your competitor’s websites
To get a better idea of what your competitors are offering their customers, evaluate a few of your competitor’s websites and list features that you like, and features that you think you could improve on.
5. Put together a list of possible categories/sections
Put together a “wish list” of content and categories you would like to add to your website. Examples include About Us, Services/Products, Resources and Contact Us, etc. While it may not be practical to implement all of these with the first site design, due to time or cost restrictions, they may be added on down the track.
6. Identify areas that will be updated on a regular basis
To take full advantage of your new site, an ongoing maintenance plan should be established with your web design firm to keep your site up to date. Possible sections to update could include company news or new products or services.
7. Collect your current marketing materials
To help your web design firm create a custom site that integrates into your marketing material, they will need to see all of your current and future marketing materials (stationary, brochures, and direct mail pieces) to pick out colours, fonts and images for the overall design of your site.
8. Develop a project budget and timeline
Depending on the size and scope of your website, the project budget can be a substantial investment. Many projects are priced based on the size of the site and the technical requirements. You should also start thinking about a launch date for your website, especially if you would like to tie the site launch into a new marketing campaign.
9. Assign a project manager
As with any large project, a single point of contact for the web designer can simplify the entire development process. This person will be responsible for all final approvals, creative reviews and for collecting all of the necessary content for the website.
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