Website Planning & Tips

After much thought and consideration, you finally took the plunge and decided it was time to have your own website. That's a great accomplishment in itself. However, now it's time to actually plan your website. This can be a very tricky process, but don't worry, here in Cape Logo we've made it easy with the following Website Planner. We'll take you step by step by using your planning to new levels from the beginning to the end.

An effective plan starts with quality information and to get that you need the correct answers from the right questions. Use this Cape Logo website design planner to help nail-down your website goals and collect the materials necessary for the site web development. The more effort you devote to this information gathering process, the more likely you are to get an effective, targeted user-driven, and well-staffed web presence.

Here is what to consider when planning a website:

Planning

• What would be the main purpose of your website?
• What advantages would you look for to gain?
• What disadvantages do you think you may encounter?
• How do you plan to overcome those disadvantages?

Targeting

• Who is your primary target market?
• Who are the main customers you wish to reach?
• Who is your secondary target market? (If any)
• Will your website be businesses-to-business(B2B) oriented or to the general public?
• How your website will compare to the way your business or organization currently operates?
• Are you planning an online brochure to enhance your marketing or showcase your product or service?
• Would you like to receive orders and sell merchandise over the internet?

Setup

• Have you selected a domain name for your website?
• Is the selected name already registered or is currently available?
• Have you selected a hosting service for the website?
• Will your site need a security certificate?
• Will you be processing credit card transactions?

Marketing

• Who are your possible competitor websites?
• How will you generate demand for your product or service?
• Would you consider search engine marketing for your website?
• Will you offer banner ad space, referrer bonuses, contest-based promotions or coupons on the website?
• Will you be participating in email marketing?
• On what other media will you be advertising your business?
• Will you be adding your website information to that media?
• Does your business currently have a presence in social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter and similar?

Customer Relations:

• How will be answeed emails received trought the website?
• Will you have a phone number on the website?
• Will you have a physical address location posted?
• Would you consider using an online Customer Relationship Management(CRM) service?

Functionality:

Which functional features should your website offer? Consider:

• mobile version
• e-commerce/shopping cart
• site search
• customer service/support
• tech support
• discussion forums
• newsletter
• catalog/information
• order forms
• feedback form
• member logon
• password protected areas
• SSL-encrypted areas

Information:

Which informational elements should your site contain? Consider:

• about us page
• contact us page
• copyright notice
• privacy statement
• disclaimer
• sitemap