One of the most difficult, but key components of the Internet marketing process is to design your website to achieve the goals you have set for your business. Yet, most people completely bypass this important step or, worse, just turn the whole project over to a website designer to handle.
When you take the time to strategically plan the outline of your new website or an upgrade of your current one, not only will you achieve a website that will show off your business in the best way, but one you will be able to add and edit content easily, and probably most important will help to achieve your overall business goals. Here are a number of important steps to take in the website planning process:
1. List all the information about your product or service that a visitor to your website might be interested in knowing. For example, visitors to a school’s website would probably want to know the attendance levels, size of the classrooms, information on staff members and what sports they can participate in. Take the time to brainstorm as many areas related to your product, service or industry that someone might be interested in when visiting the website.
2. Take on the role of your website visitor. Visit some websites and review them as if you are in the market for the services those sites have to offer. As a visitor, what do you like and dislike about each site? Are you inspired to take action from the website? Can you find what you are looking for fast? How many different pages do you have to click through to find what you want? Note all this data down with the intent of making your new website as easy for your visitors to use as possible.
3. Do keyword research to find out what visitors will be searching for. There are free keyword search tools through Google that are completely adequate for this type of research. Type in a general phrase such as “high school” and see what other keywords come up. These are the things your visitors already have questions about. With this information in hand, you can plan your website to feature content that answers people’s questions.
4. When planning your new website, make sure to keep in room to grow. Avoid websites that can’t be easily expanded to add more pages or products. A good website is a constant work in process.
5. The final thing to keep in mind is that you want to be able to control your new website, rather than be at the mercy of your web designer to make even the simplest of changes. Old fashioned websites that only a web developer can change do not work in today’s dynamic Internet marketing environment that demands new content added regularly. It is to your advantage to plan a website platform that will allow you to add content quickly and simply.
The investment by your business into a new website is a large part of your marketing budget. It is critical to take the time to plan a new website that is compatible with your business goals.
Marty Dickinson is the founder of HereNextYear, Inc., a full service Internet marketing company in business for over 10 years. His specialty is Internet marketing solutions for the small business owner, speakers and authors. Visit to see what HereNextYear has to offer and to learn more about their innovative new website packages fully integrated for ease with social networking and other Internet marketing strategies.
Tags: general business tips, internet marketing, Marketing, online marketing, sales and marketing, small business, website design, website development, website tips