Top Ten Questions to Ask Yourself and/or Your Designer

Volume IV, Issue 7
ISSN: 1547-7754
December 2006
printable version

Chris King, Editor
By subscription only, this monthly e-newsletter is loaded with short, "down and dirty" tips to help you with solving the everchanging and growing puzzle of the Internet. This e-zine serves as a place to ask your questions and find the answers. So, send me your burning questions.

In this issue of the Internet Tips E-zine, I decided to write about the most important questions to ask yourself and/or your website designer/developer when planning your website. I have alluded to quite a few of these in previous issues of the Internet TIPS E-Zine, yet felt it was time to bundle them together in a quick, down-and-dirty fashion.

Whether or not you are a designer or would-be designer you want to make sure that your website works for you and your visitors. Rather than just jumping in without prior thought and planning, take time to consider the following questions for a successful journey.

QUESTION #1: What is the main purpose that I want this website to fulfill? People have websites for many different reasons. It may be a brochure type with information about you and/or your business. It may be an information site with articles and lots of content. It may be a resources site with links; a sales site (mini-site) for one item; a branding site; a lead generation site; or an events site. Some of of these may be combined, but combining too many elements may confuse visitors.

QUESTION #2: What is the mission statement for this website project? Once you have described your website’s purpose, writing a mission statement for the actual project will keep you and your designer on track.

QUESTION #3: Who is my target audience for this website? One of the biggest errors that Internet marketers make is to assume that their website is for everyone. The more it appeals to a certain niche, the better. Then, visitors will feel, “Ah, this is for me. This is exactly what I have been looking for!”

QUESTION #4: What is the compelling story I want to tell? Once you know your purpose and the target audience, you will be able to define your theme - your story - for the website. Your story should be compelling enough that visitors will want to read more, to tell others about your website, and it should portray your, your business, and/or organizational personality.

QUESTION #5: Besides the above-mentioned story, how can I convey personality? Remember, we are working with someone who is meeting you and/or your business on-line - not in person. Will a visitor get a sense of who you are, what you believe, how you work and if you value what they value? Personally, I feel that we should pay a great deal of attention to building relationships with visitors to our website(s).

QUESTION #6: What are ways to build on-going relationships with visitors to my website(s)? There are a variety of tools and trends today, including the use of audio and video. I still love and recommend offering a well-written, useful e-newsletter (e-zine). There was a time when people would just sign up for a newsletter, but with so much e-mail today, present some sort of incentive to get visitors to sign up for your e-zine. Offer free tips, a free report or series of classes. Don’t be discouraged if some sign up for the offer and then unsubscribe before even receiving a copy of your e-zine.

QUESTION #7: How will I generate return traffic to my website(s)? Always include links back to your site. For my information websites’ e-newsletter, Portfolio Potpourri, I feature articles in every issue and find that they bring a large portion of readers to the sites. I also include a link in the text version to the “Designer Version” in HTML.

QUESTION #8: How will I decide upon the tone and overall design of the website? There are those who will tell you this isn’t important, but to me, it is. I always suggest that my clients visit several different websites and make note of what they like and don’t like about the design. I want them to love visiting their own site. It should have a color scheme they relate to; a professional and credible appearance; obvious and easy navigation, and warmth. Some will tell you not to include a photo. I like seeing what the owner looks like. If you are using a photo, make sure that you have it taken professionally.

QUESTION #9: What content will I include? Of course, this depends upon all of the answers to the previous questions. Good content will help with Search Engine placement and the return of visitors. I have certain requirements for every site I design. For example: titles for each page, contact information on each page, text links at the bottom of the page, pages that will print without cutting off any text, and many more. It does all go back to the original purpose of your website.

QUESTION #10: How will I measure outcomes and decide that this website project is successful? It is important to know what outcome(s) you want and then have ways of finding out whether your website is fulfilling them. There are several excellent statistics packages - often included in hosting programs - that will help tell how many visitors you have had. Sign-ups for your e-zines is another, along with how many of your products and/or services you are selling.

There are many other questions you need to ask, but these are the top ten in my estimation. Knowing the full answers, you will be on your way to a successful and thriving website.

Have a terrific and productive month!

Do send your comments and questions to me at chris@creativekeys.biz. I love to receive feedback and will answer your questions in future e-zines.

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