Getting started with your first website.

There are some things you, as a website, owner will need to consider before you get started it's success and your overall happines.  First consider what exactly the focus of the site will be.  If it is a business site, or should I say, if the site is to be an extension of your business, consider what purpose the website will serve. 

Will it be used as a marketing tool or will it be mainly informational for your current clients?  Will it be a local website or a global website?  Will you offer products for sale, advice, expertise…You get the idea.

Next, carefully consider what type of people will use the site?  This is by far the most important consideration you will give to the site.  What do you anticipate your end users are searching for when coming to your site?  Here be realistic and creative.  Think of the thing they definitely want to see when they are on your site.  You need to think like your clients here.  What are they searching for?  Also consider things that they might not have expected but would also benefit from.  For example, if you are a bed and breakfast, you might want to consider having links to the local visitors bureau, local travel destinations, airline companies, even travel sites.   Start with what they want then expand on things they could use.

What are some of the features your site must have?  (i.e., about us, contact, services, portfolio, news, shopping, articles…)  Break down the site into site categories on a sheet of paper.  This will help you establish a mental site map and help estimate how large your site will be.  Make note of additions you may want to add later. 

Consider how often the type of site you are anticipating will need to be updated.

Have a look at some competitor sites or even sites outside of your local area that are in the same line of business as your self.  You should get a feel for what's out there.  That is what your clients are doing. 

Think about how much time you are willing to commit on the project.  This is your site so you will need to be available for meetings, reviews, questions and general input.  Don't attempt to start a very large site if you can't commit the time. 

So here's a recap:
What is the sites focus?
What is its purpose?
Who are the users?
What are they looking for?
What extras might they be interested in?
What are the sites features?
How much time can you committ?

Once you've given considerable thought to the focus of the site, its end users, and its content you can start thinking about choosing your domain name. 

next  >> choosing a domain name
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