So, you want to make a website? Whether business or for personal, there are several general guidelines you should follow. These are made to be flexible for most types of websites, however may not work for everyone. After webmastering several sites for almost 8 years now, these have been guidelines I have followed when creating projects. Some have flopped, and some have succeeded, but these have always been a great guideline to follow.
Because this is so long, I will be breaking it into parts. This is Part 1 of this series.
What is the focus of your website?
Do you want to have a business? Do you want a free entertainment site? Do you want a personal site? This is where you as the website owner/ webmaster have to decide what you want on your website content wise. You could register a domain, buy web space at a webhost, but it is the content you need to have down or at least a nice brainstorm plan for your site-to-be. The content will help you decide the rest of the mood of the website, especially when it comes for your visitors to navigate your site. Without focus, you could have a very disorganized website.
When brainstorming, first list the major areas of the website you wish to have more emphasis. Then, underneath each main category, go into detail of what you want. For example, you might want to consider:
– Will you need a membership script?
– Will you need a content management system?
– How do you want your site designed in order to help brand your business online?
– Will you need to invest money?
– Who do you want to target?
– What do you want to sell?
– What is the purpose of your site?
All of these issues are important when embarking on a new website venture.
Factors like considering what kind of audience your site will reach are extremely important during the brainstorming process. This involves age, gender, personal quirks, ethnicity and more. Obviously a website for dentures may not appeal to a younger audience, while a website of hard core rap may not suit those who are died hard country music fans.
You might want to do a survey to find out what might be best for your website? You might also want to check out sites in your niche that might give you insight what people are expecting and how you can capitalize and make your site both unique and be THE PLACE to go to.
Lastly, what kind of accessibility do you want your site to have. Do you want it totally PC, W3 standard and cross browser compatible, or are you willing to take a few risks to make your site happen?. Although it is best recommended to have a site that is cross browser compatible, not every design and coding technique will allow this to happen. This will always fall back with who you intend on as an audience for your website. It is important in this part of the process to keep in mind cross browser compatibility and try to apply as much as you can to your site.
What factors have helped you determine your site’s focus? What tools or sites do you like to use in order to find out the best way to both target your ideal audience?
Good article, Nile. I’m sure that internet is the best and has a huge opportunity to grow business. But however, in order to indeed generate money through this opportunity, one need to have a website, but most people take decision of having website in haste without thinking its pros and cons and sometime it may be overwhelming for them. This article truly shows the main things that one need to consider when one makes a decision of creating or having a website and these is important to consider because these things are sure to put one on the fast track to success.