Are you looking to create a website? Planning a website is like shopping for a pair of shoes; there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you are starting from scratch or have been running the show for years, every owner eventually reaches a stage where expanding their reach meets with a website that accommodates their products and services.
The numerous factors that contribute to how the final product will turn out can be daunting, but we have all the puzzle pieces for you to create a perfect blueprint for your website.
1. Setting Clear Goals and Objectives
First, you must determine the purpose of your new website through clear objectives and goals which should be the foundation for actions you hope users will take.
A good place to start is to look at how your business functions. Increasing inquiries, leads, sign-ups, registrations, subscriptions, sales or purchases, traffic, or serving your current clients with brand visibility and reach are all ways that help businesses operate.
For example, a construction company may want to increase inquiry and leads by promoting their services on their website, whereas a retail store may want to increase sales by providing an e-commerce store for customers to have another method of purchase.
It’s important that these goals are clearly identified in the website brief as a majority of decisions will be based on them and help define what direction you should take to create a website.
2. Identifying and Understanding Your Website’s Audience
Audience analysis or user research involves understanding who the likely users are going to be on your website, and gathering information about their demographics, behaviours, preferences, and needs.
Recognising and acknowledging your audience’s needs will play a large role in the tone and style of content, design elements, and development features of when you create a website.
User experience is something that can make or break the success of your website.
According to Clutch, 31% of people think that an engaging user experience is fundamental to website design, and that considering the target audience is essential.
From design elements like colour palettes, typography, and assets to development features like animation and integration, a strategic process goes into creating websites that engage users. By taking your audience’s needs into account, you are demonstrating that your business considers their clients in all their operations, which will likely turn out in your favour.
31% of people think that an engaging user experience is fundamental to website design, and that considering the target audience is essential.
Clutch
3. Conduct Competitor Analysis Before You Create a Website
Competitor Analysis is an important step that is commonly overlooked. It involves researching competitors in the same industry as you that sell similar products or services to the same target audience.
Noting the strengths and weaknesses of their site, as well as what makes them unique in their strategies will consequently guide you in determining what features you want your website to have, and what you should stay away from.
For example, if you are looking to start up an e-commerce site, determining the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors’ e-commerce sites will help you enhance your vision. Some factors to note of your competitors are:
- How the products are being displayed
- The style of content in product descriptions
- The user experience – navigation, wish lists, shopping carts
- Payment methods offered
- The design layout
4. The Framework to Outlining Your Vision
Now that you have your goals, objectives, and understand your target audience, a website brief will be built to properly plan for the resources that will be required to create your website.
The website brief will outline your needs and expectations for the website that your web company will use as the framework when creating a website. Within the brief, you can expect details on the following items:
- Features and functions of the website
- What content, images, and assets will be needed
- How content, images, and assets will be supplied or created
- Placing the website on search engines
- Marketing and advertising options
- Cross-device compatibility – Desktop, PC, laptop, tablet, iPad, mobile
- Timeframe to launch and go live
- Reporting and analytics to track results, traffic, and measure the success of your goals
- Maintenance and updates
A guide for both you and your web company to refer to, this important document will keep everyone on track toward reaching your end goals within the specified time frame.
5. Understanding Website Costs and Customisation
The answer to the age-old dilemma, “How much will a website cost me?” lies in all the factors discussed in this blog.
The good news is that when you reach out to a reputable website agency, websites are customisable to suit your needs, as well as your audience’s needs.
The details outlined in the website brief will ultimately affect the cost of your website. The number of pages, the graphic design, whether content and images will need to be created or supplied by you, and any additional variations are all things that can increase or decrease the cost of your website.
The starting point for a brochure website is around $3,000, but this will all depend on what is outlined in the brief. Try out our cost estimator now to see how every factor influences the cost of creating a website!
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We recognise that undergoing the process of website planning can be daunting, but understanding the different stages of planning your website can give you the confidence boost you need to get started.
Site Clicks takes various considerations with clients in the early stages of planning and briefing a new website to ensure we deliver the right website, most suited to clients’ business and more importantly, one that will work efficiently, effectively, and seamlessly.
