|
|
Checklist for planning your website
by Henriette Martel
Enthusiasm does not replace a lack of preparation. The purpose, business model,
target market and competitive strategies should be determined even before
you draw the blueprint of your website.
Purpose: what is the site for?
What are your business and personal objectives?
What type of business model should you choose?
- Transactions
- sell your own products
- sell other business products (reseller)
- Information publishing
- offer information to share knowledge
- provide information to attract traffic and generate income
through sponsorship, advertising, subscriptions, memberships, affiliates
- Directory, index
- Online business card or Vanity site (online presence only)
- Any combination of above models
Target market: who is it for?
- Who will be your visitors? Draw a profile (eg age,
gender, lifestyle, culture).
- Will you attract new visitors or existing customers
- Will your audience be local or global?
- How competent are your potential visitors with online
technology (ability to navigate)?
- Are you looking for qualified leads or the greatest
number of visitors?
Competition: how do you compare?
- What differentiates you from the other million websites:
originality, customer service, price, product?
- What does your competitor's website look like?
- Why would people buy from you? What's your unique
selling proposition (USP)?
- What are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats (SWOT)?
Content: how will you communicate your message?
- What information and how much should you provide? How
much does your audience knows about your business?
- How many sections? On what basis (e.g. type of
audience, product) will you categorise your information?
- How will your audience take action (e.g.
enrolment, feedback, contact or order form)?
- Do you need visuals?
Other planning considerations
- Your budget
- Your type of products and services.
- Your human resources
- Traffic size expected
- Administrative implications.
AusBIZ tip
It is much better to create a small, concise and focused site than a
large one where web users can lose interest and purpose.
© 2003 Henriette Martel
Henriette Martel is a website strategist and author of 200
Marketing Ideas for Your Website'. Receive a free ebook when you
subscribe to WEBmarketingcues, a free and valuable newsletter with
articles, reviews and resources to help you market your own website.
http://www.marketingcues.com
|
|
New Release |
Does the thought of writing articles triggers a string of
excuses? Professional writers share how to beat writer's block and write fast.
No hype ebook with techniques, templates, and resources. Become instant Expert
with effective Article Marketing.
|
|
|
|
|
