Information for the new website owner

Things to consider when planning your website

Creating a website is an exciting step for any business or individual. Still, before diving into the design process, it’s essential to lay a solid foundation by thinking through key elements that will shape your site’s purpose, style, and functionality. Here’s a detailed guide on what to consider before hiring a web designer.

1. Define the Purpose of Your Website

The first and most critical step is understanding the purpose of your website. What role will it play in your business or project? Websites can serve many different purposes, including:

  • E-commerce: Selling products directly to customers.
  • Lead Generation: Encouraging visitors to sign up, submit contact forms, or request quotes.
  • Informational/Educational: Providing valuable content that establishes your authority or expertise in a particular field.
  • Portfolio or Personal Branding: Showcasing work, skills, or personal projects.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Promoting products or services from other companies and earning commissions.

Clarifying your website’s primary purpose will help the designer decide about the layout, features, and user flow. For example, an e-commerce site will need product pages, payment gateways, and perhaps customer reviews, while a portfolio site may prioritize image galleries and artist statements.

2. Understand Your Target Audience

Knowing your audience is fundamental to creating an engaging and relevant website. Ask yourself:

  • Who are they? Consider their age, interests, and demographics.
  • What are they looking for? Are they interested in entertainment, shopping, information, or services?
  • What tone will appeal to them? Should the website be formal and professional, or light-hearted and friendly?

These insights help determine the design style, tone, and even the colour scheme. For instance, a website targeting young consumers might include vibrant colours and interactive features, while a corporate site targeting professionals might adopt a more polished, minimalist design.

3. Determine Your Website’s Brand Identity

Brand identity is more than just a logo; it’s the personality and values of your business. Your website should consistently reflect your brand through elements like colour scheme, typography, and tone of voice. Before beginning the design, think about:

  • Logo and Color Scheme: Choose colors that represent your brand’s energy and values. Consider how these colours will be used across all website elements for consistency.
  • Typography: Select fonts that complement your brand’s voice, whether it’s modern, elegant, fun, or traditional.
  • Visual Style: Will your site use illustrations, photography, or minimalistic graphics? A cohesive visual style helps establish a recognizable look.

4. Decide on the Website’s Tone and Style

Your website’s tone should match the expectations of your audience and the nature of your business. For instance:

  • Formal or Professional: This might suit legal firms, financial services, and corporate consulting.
  • Friendly or Light-hearted: This could appeal to younger audiences or businesses in creative, food, or lifestyle industries.

Make sure the designer understands the tone you want, as it affects the overall look and feel, from colour choices to copywriting style.

5. Choose the Core Features and Functionalities

Different websites require different sets of features, so it’s crucial to decide on the essential functionalities you need:

  • E-commerce Functionality: Product pages, shopping cart, payment gateway, shipping options, and customer reviews.
  • Contact Forms and Lead Capture: Email subscription forms, contact request forms, or booking systems for appointments.
  • Social Media Integration: Links to social profiles, social media feeds, or share buttons to encourage engagement.
  • Blog or Content Section: If you plan to post articles or resources regularly, a blog section is essential.
  • Multimedia: Consider the type of media you want to include—high-quality images, videos, and audio can enhance user engagement.
  • SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Ensuring your website is optimized for search engines will make it easier for people to find you online. Consider discussing SEO from the start to make sure the website is built with visibility in mind.

6. Plan for E-commerce or Affiliate Features (If Applicable)

If your website is for selling products, you’ll need to consider e-commerce specifics:

  • Product Catalog Structure: How will products be organized? Will you need categories, tags, or filters to help users browse?
  • Product Pages: What details should be included? Consider product descriptions, images, customer reviews, and recommended products.
  • Affiliate Features: If your site will promote third-party products, think about how affiliate links will be integrated. Will there be product comparison sections, review articles, or banners?

Deciding these features in advance will ensure the designer builds an intuitive shopping experience tailored to your customers’ needs.

A WORD OF CAUTION HERE:

IF THE WEBSITE WILL SELL PRODUCTS DIRECTLY RATHER THAN AFFILIATE PRODUCTS, SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE USE OF A THIRD PARTY TO COLLECT PAYMENTS AND CARD DETAILS. THESE SHOULD NEVER BE ON YOUR OWN WEBSITE. YES – THE THIRD PARTY WILL TAKE A COMMISSION BUT IT’S FAR BETTER THAN BEING SUED FOR LOSS OF CARD DETAILS AND FRAUD.

7. Budget and Timeline

Before starting, be realistic about your budget and timeline. Website design can vary widely in cost depending on complexity, and rushing the process can compromise quality. Communicate your budget constraints openly, and discuss timelines to set realistic expectations.

8. Think About Content Strategy

Content is what will keep your audience engaged, so planning your content strategy early is essential:

  • Static Pages: Identify the main pages your website will have, such as Home, About Us, Services, and Contact. Each page should have a clear purpose.
  • Content Style: Think about the tone and style of your written content, including product descriptions, blog posts, or company information.
  • Blogging and Updates: If you plan to update your site regularly with new content, discuss content management options like a blog or news section.

9. Consider User Experience (UX) and Mobile Responsiveness

A great website isn’t just about appearance; it’s about how easy and enjoyable it is to use. Key aspects of user experience include:

  • Ease of Navigation: Ensure visitors can easily find the information they’re looking for, whether it’s products, services, or contact information.
  • Mobile Responsiveness: With more users browsing on mobile devices, a responsive design is essential to ensure the site looks and functions well on all screen sizes.
  • Page Speed and Performance: Slow websites can lead to high bounce rates. Work with your designer to ensure your site loads quickly for a seamless experience.

10. SEO and Analytics Setup

If you want to attract new visitors, optimizing your site for search engines (SEO) is essential. Discuss the following with your designer:

  • Keyword Research: Identifying keywords your audience is likely to search for can guide content creation.
  • Meta Tags and Alt Text: Ensure your website has optimized meta descriptions, title tags, and image alt text.
  • Analytics Setup: Set up Google Analytics or other tracking tools to monitor your website’s traffic, user behaviour, and performance.

11. Prepare for Long-term Maintenance and Updates

A website isn’t a one-time project—it requires regular updates, maintenance, and, potentially, redesigns over time.

Consider:

You, your staff or the website designer will need to be involved in the maintenance of the website in the future. Depending on the type of website, this can be from once every so often to daily.

  • Content Management System (CMS): A CMS like WordPress allows you to update content easily without coding knowledge. Ask your designer to build your site on a CMS if you plan to make frequent updates.
  • Hosting and Security: Choose reliable web hosting that meets your site’s needs and discuss security options to protect your site from cyber threats.
  • Long-term Maintenance: Will you or the designer be responsible for maintaining the website? Regular updates are important for functionality, SEO, and security.

12. Gather Inspiration and Examples

Lastly, gather examples of websites you admire. Identify elements you like, such as layout, style, or features, and share these with your designer. This can clarify your vision and guide the designer in creating a site that meets your expectations.

Final Thoughts

Taking time to think through these aspects before starting the design process will set your project up for success. By understanding your website’s purpose, target audience, branding, and essential features, you can work closely with your designer to create a website that meets your business goals and leaves a strong impression on visitors. A thoughtful approach now will save time, money, and headaches down the road, resulting in a website that truly serves your needs.