Navigating Website Creation: 10 Questions to Guide You

Before diving into website development, it’s crucial to ask yourself some key questions. Skipping this step could result in a costly website that doesn’t meet your expectations. Here are essential questions to guide you:

1. What’s Your Website’s Purpose?

Understanding your end goal is vital. Whether you’re aiming to sell products, build brand awareness, or grow your mailing list, each objective requires a different design approach.

2. Who Is Your Target Audience?

Identifying your target audience is crucial for your website’s success. For instance, a site selling hobby kits for retirees will differ significantly from one focused on teen fashion.

3. How Will Visitors Find Your Site?

Gone are the days of “build it and they will come.” With billions of websites out there, you need a solid strategy to attract visitors, be it offline through PR and advertising or online through SEO and Google Ads.

4. What Will Keep Visitors Engaged?

You have mere seconds to capture a visitor’s attention. High-quality content that addresses their needs without pushing a hard sell is key to keeping them engaged.

5. How Will You Stand Out?

With nearly 2 billion websites online, differentiation is crucial. Establishing yourself as an expert in your field within seconds of a visitor landing on your site can make all the difference.

6. How Will You Measure Success?

Set measurable short-term and long-term goals before you start. Whether it’s sales, subscriptions, or traffic, knowing your metrics is essential for evaluating your website’s performance.

7. What’s Your Budget?

Understanding your financial constraints is crucial. Your budget will influence the design, functionality, and even the marketing strategies you can afford. Make sure to allocate funds for ongoing maintenance and updates.

8. What’s Your Timeline?

Setting a realistic timeline for your project ensures that you don’t rush through important phases of website development. Factor in time for planning, design, development, testing, and revisions.

9. Who Will Manage the Website Post-Launch?

Once your website is live, it will require regular updates, monitoring, and maintenance. Decide whether you’ll manage this in-house or outsource it to professionals.

10. What’s Your Content Strategy?

Content is king. Plan out the type of content you’ll produce, how often you’ll update it, and who will be responsible for creating and updating it. A well-thought-out content strategy can significantly impact your site’s success.

Sources:
https://www.copypress.com/blog/7-questions-ask-creating-website-content/
https://www.herosmyth.com/article/20-crucial-questions-ask-doing-website-design
https://www.businessknowhow.com/internet/markques.htm