Right after the thought, "I need a website," people usually say, "I need a web designer!" Actually, before even whispering "web design," you need to answer these five questions in as much detail as possible. Once you're clear on your strategy, you can provide better information to your web designer. And most likely you'll be pleased with your new home on the web.
1. What is the purpose of your website?
When you're well-known through face-to-face contacts, your website will serve as an additional source of information to potential customers. You may need only a basic "calling card" site: a list of contact information, coming appearances and basic brochure copy.
On the other hand, your website may be your primary revenue source. In that case, you'll need to direct visitors to your "for sale" section and come up with a plan to take their money. You'll need a shopping cart and perhaps a merchant account.
2. Who will be your ideal target market?
Draft at least two hundred words describing your ideal client. Where does he live, work and play? Where does she eat and shop? What are your client's goals and hobbies? You're the psychologist: create as many details as possible. Some copywriters recommend assigning your target a name so you can see the person behind the credit card.
3. What action do you want everyone to take?
Your home page copy drives your website visitors to a clear, unambiguous target. Keep them on your site as long as possible and suggest a specific action. Buy an ebook. Sign up for your ezine. Sign your guest book. Make it easy for visitors to take this action, placing forms and links right on your home page.
4. How will you maintain your site?
Many new website owners budget the cost of web design and a year of web hosting. But that's only the beginning. A website that's unchanged will grow cobwebs. It's easy to tell when you've landed on a website where nobody's home. Something's broken. The whole place looks abandoned.
You'll need to replace broken links, fix spelling errors, add updates to your schedule, and a whole lot more. And in my experience, your website will look different after five or six months. Time for a new overhaul! That's why I say, "You need to become your own web designer, marry your web designer, or be prepared to pay."
5. How will you promote your site?
A website without promotion is like a 747 flying around the world without any passengers: expensive and useless! You can write articles as free content, swap links and submit your site to the search engines. Fill your website with content, update the content regularly, and write your copy with an eye to your keywords.
You'll have to budget time for promotion or hire an assistant. Planning ahead can help you create a website that makes your job easier.
About The Author
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" http://www.cathygoodwin.com
Contact: http://www.cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
What do you mean, you don't have a website for... Read More
Have you ever wondered what challenges are faced by other... Read More
Design and layout can make your communication come alive and... Read More
We all start out the same. Some have budgets, some... Read More
You've put up a website to promote a product or... Read More
Just starting out, you can start with a simple informational... Read More
When a user signs up at your website, you may... Read More
Think up a name and check if yourname.com is available.... Read More
First, an eye opener. Making your fortune through affiliate programs... Read More
Yahoo has long offered email, an online calendar, notes, bookmarks,... Read More
The Internet car buyer is an elusive animal. Trying to... Read More
When you publish a content site there are times when... Read More
Rosalind wants to share her inspirational poetry with a wider... Read More
A system development process can follow a number of standard... Read More
Right after the thought, "I need a website," people usually... Read More
"If you build it, they will come"; is an age... Read More
Every online entrepreneur I talk to is asking the same... Read More
When you take a look at the most visited sites... Read More
Making a web site is easy. Making a good web... Read More
If you're looking for better web site ROI, chances are,... Read More
Your content is what gets you in search engines, speaks... Read More
Internet Marketing is not a miracle marketing strategy ? competition... Read More
Directory Generator, a product from Armand Morin and Marc Quarles,... Read More
"How do I improve web site sales figures?" The CEO... Read More
One of my most salient memories from when I sold... Read More
As a business you can't afford to ignore the Internet... Read More
The DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) states that service providers must... Read More
Every good Internet business understands the value of conversions versus... Read More
"I don't sell anything online, I don't advertise online, in... Read More
Does your website have a links/resources page?Do you exchange reciprocal... Read More
See how you can create graphic effects on text with... Read More
In the late 1990's three San Francisco based web developers... Read More
After deciding what kind of internet business you want to... Read More
An interesting eCommerce success factor that isn't precisely overlooked, but... Read More
One of the biggest mistakes that most online retailers make... Read More
Why do some sites succeed while the vast majority of... Read More
"How do I improve web site sales figures?" The CEO... Read More
If your company own one or more stores, you might... Read More
The following is a list of patterns that many visitors... Read More
Customer service questionnaires can help your clients better understand their... Read More
Understanding and using web analytics.In recent years, website marketers were... Read More
Webmasters deal with a myriad of complex design challenges every... Read More
Globalize Your WebsiteThe Internet has unlocked a wide array of... Read More
I recently received an unsolicited e-mail from some company offering... Read More
In my previous life.....Actually, my previous JOB life, I was... Read More
More and more non-profit organizations are developing websites to help... Read More
The Internet is being used by local service business to... Read More
It is an undeniable fact that not everybody is keen... Read More
"What's in it for me?" you ask. "Why should I... Read More
Build it and they will come is not always true;... Read More
Web Development |