7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Designing Your Business Website
What do you think when you hear the word “website”? Maybe it’s a portal to another world, or perhaps just an image of a computer screen. In reality, your website is so much more than that. It’s your online business card and storefront, all in one. Your site needs to be designed with this purpose in mind if it will be effective.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of seven questions to ask yourself before you start designing your business website. By the end, you’ll have a much better idea of what your site needs to accomplish and how to make it happen.
1. Who is my target audience?
This is the first and most important question to ask yourself before starting any website design project.
Your target audience will dictate everything from your site’s overall tone and look to the specific features and functionality it needs.
Without a clear understanding of who you’re trying to reach, it will be challenging to create an effective website.
Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences, stupid people already have all the answers.
Socrates
2. What are my goals for the website?
What do you want your website to achieve?
Do you want to increase sales, generate leads, or raise awareness for your brand?
Be specific with your goals and make sure they’re aligned with your overall business objectives. This will help you create a more focused and effective website design.
3. What type of content will I be featuring?
Your website should be designed around the type of content you’ll feature.
If you plan on mostly blogging, you’ll need a site optimized for hosting and displaying articles. If you’re selling products, your site will need an e-commerce platform. And if you’re providing services, you’ll need a way to showcase your work and highlight testimonials from past clients.
4. How will I generate traffic?
Just because you build it doesn’t mean they’ll come.
It would be best if you had a plan for generating traffic to your website, or it will quickly become a ghost town.
There are many ways to do this, but some of the most effective include search engine optimization, social media marketing, and paid advertising.
5. What action do I want visitors to take?
What’s the primary goal of your website?
Do you want visitors to buy something, sign up for something, or learn more about your company?
Make sure your design includes clear calls to action that lead visitors towards your desired outcome.
6. What feeling do I want visitors to have when they leave?
You want visitors to have a positive experience on your website and remember your brand in a favourable light.
Think about your site’s overall tone and messaging and what you can do to create a more positive user experience.
7. What sets me apart from my competition?
What makes your company unique?
This will help you stand out from the crowd and attract attention to your website. Whether it’s your product, service, or brand personality, make sure it comes through loud and clear on your website.
Conclusion
By asking yourself these seven questions before designing or re-designing your business website, you’ll be better positioned to create a compelling and successful site. Keep them in mind as you start planning your project, and you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals.