General questions to consider when developing a website
- What is the main purpose of your web site?
- Who is your main audience or target market?
- What will your customers use your site for?
- Who is going to write your content?
- What parts of the site are going to have to be updated regularly?
- How should the site look and feel?
- Does the site require any advanced features such as e-commerce or an email newsletter etc.
- How important is it to attract visitors via Google?
- How will your site attract new visitors and keep existing customers?
- How are you going to differentiate your site from your competitors?
What are the general purposes for your Web site?
Your site should have a primary and secondary purpose.
Purposes could be:
- increase sales and awareness
- assist in distribution of products or services
- provide company information to clients, investors, media
- educate the public about a certain product, industry, technique etc
- sell products via e-commerce
- gain customer feedback
- provide product support
- provide entertainment
- entice customers to your physical location
- showcase your work with photos
How do you want the website to help your business?
What sort of reaction are you expecting from your website?
Reactions could be:
- new customer contact
- online sales
- increased customer retention
- decreased phone, fax or email support calls
- growth of marketing opportunities (mailing lists, newsletters)
What sections would you like for your website?
Typically, a website should have no more than 6-8 top level pages. The following is a list of common sections and/or navigation items:
- * Home Page
- * Products and/or Services - links on this page might be:
product description/specifications /demos/samples
- * Product features & benefits
- * Parts list, schematics, assembly instructions
- * Warranty & Return Policy
- * Testimonials/ Galleries or reviews
- * Purchasing/ Shopping Cart/Dealer List*
- * Order Form
- * Catalogues (download pdf or order print copy via form)
- * Prices
- * Shipping Information
- * Company information Pages
- * Customer Service
- * About Us/Contact Us
- * Privacy Policy
- * News and Events or other regional information
- * FAQ, Glossary of terms or Interesting Facts
- * Articles/newsletter
- * Links
- Help and Support
Will your site be part of an existing marketing strategy?
Does your business already have a marketing strategy in place with printed material, promotional items, or advertising campaigns?
Would you like to deviate from your existing strategy?
Do you have a concept for a new strategy?
How will you promote your website?