Planning Your Web Site
Page 2 of 7
- Introduction |
- Consider your needs
- Consider your audience |
- Consider your audience's needs |
- Decide on the required features |
- Consider the site's appearance |
- Work out your budget |
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Consider your needs
The foundation of a successful online project lies in having a clear understanding of its overall goals and objectives. So the first thing to do is to make a list of your primary objectives and needs — make them as specific as possible. Things to consider include:
- How can a web site help your organisation achieve its short and long-term goals (for example, attract clients, advertise a service, increase your visibility, report results)?
- How can a web site assist you with your day-to-day operations (for example, reduce time spent answering questions on the phone, lower the amount of money spent on sending information by post, allow geographically-diverse associates to collaborate on projects)?
You may find that you have several objectives for the site. Increase the number of visitors to your existing site is one goal, decrease calls to customer service may be another, sell more products is a third. Although there may be several goals and many separate audiences to cater for, it is important that you have one clear, targeted message.
Once you have decided on your primary objective, you can then prioritise your remaining objectives into second and third levels of importance.
