Website Planning

March 01, 2010 | Web Design

Embarking on a new website project involves meticulous planning of a broad range of analytical, technical and creative issues. A properly designed website will ensure that your site is successful and achieves your website objectives. This website planning guide will inform you about the website planning process and the steps involved in creating an effective website.

Step One: Plan your content and write your text.

Start by writing one or two short, sharply focused paragraphs that describe your business or organization. This is for the home page. Be clear and concise. Web surfers are looking for information--not hype. Your first paragraph is very important. Make sure it tells your reader the essence of what your business or organization is about.

Next write an outline of the major topics you want to address. Good things to include (you don't have to do them all) are:

• Descriptions of your services/products
• Prices
• A few testimonials from satisfied customers
• Your hours
• Driving directions to your location
• Answers to frequently asked questions
• An "about us" page describing your company's history, your qualifications
• A links page to businesses and informational sites that are related to your business
• Your contact information: address, phone, fax and email

If you have a good brochure, use it as a starting point--you may be able to use much of it as is.

Develop a list of "keywords." These are any and all words that a person might use to do a search when looking for the types of services or products you provide.

Write all of your copy. Be as clear and concise as possible while working in as many of your important keywords as you can, and as often as you can. Keyword rich text will help your search engine ranking tremendously. However, be sure the copy still reads well.

If search engine traffic is not important to you, you can skip trying to work in the keywords.

If writing is not your thing, submit your outline and MarketAgent 007 will produce the copy for you.

Step Two: Select your graphics and photographs.

If you have a logo, provide a very clear, crisp copy of it. Original artwork scans the best. If you already have the logo as a digital image file, so much the better. Popular digital file types include .jpeg, .eps, .bmp, .pdf, .psd, .ai, .cdr and .tif files.

Select your photographs. Regular color prints are fine. Make sure your photographs are sharply focused, have good contrast, and are well composed. The average computer monitor is a low-resolution device compared to hard copy. Using only the best quality photographs is essential. If your photographs are digital, submit the files without resizing or compressing them.

Include cropping instructions if you only want part of the photograph used.

If you do not have a company logo, MarketAgent 007 can design a logo which is memorable and representative of your business.

Step Three: Select a domain name.

You can use any combination of letters and numbers. The only symbol allowed is the hyphen. Spaces are not allowed. Domain names are not case sensitive. Also select a second, and even a third and fourth choice in case your first choice is not available. If you are a business, your address should end with .com, .biz, or .us. If you are a club or non-profit organization, your address should end with .org. As an alternative if what you want is not available, .net and .info are also possibilities. Try to keep it reasonably short--shorter addresses are nicer looking on printed pieces and are easier for people to remember and type in. If search engine traffic is critical to you, select a name with your most important keywords in it separated by hyphens.

Step Four: Sending materials.

If possible, submit your text in the form of "plain text" or MS Word (.doc) files rather than hard copy--it will save you some money as it will eliminate the need to retype. If you can't provide your text as files, don't worry, it can be retyped from your hard copy. Digital photographs and images may be sent via email. Alternatively, if the file size of each photo is too large to email, they may be uploaded to a web server via FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

Tip: If you are mailing your artwork and photo, a piece of cardboard in the envelope will help protect them from mishaps. All original photographs and artwork will be returned to you.

Step Five: Sit back and wait for your site work to be done.

When the design and development of your site is completed, the files will be uploaded to your web server for your inspection, at which time you may request changes and corrections.

Please note that you are solely responsible for the content of your site including typographical errors. Proof read everything carefully!

Step Six: Your site goes public.

Your site will be registered with the major search engines and directories that accept unpaid submissions.

You should add your Web address to all your printed materials (business cards, brochures, letterhead, invoice forms, etc.) and print advertising.