Web Strategy
Research, Planning & Strategy
Before embarking on the design of an optimised web site, you should first
consider what is entailed in a successful web strategy. Far too many web
sites display little or no evidence of planning, but plenty of evidence
of haste. Just as it is with any other business, the decision making process
should always follow on from good research and planning.
Web Design - Functionality
What is the web site to do? This is the most important decision that you
will make. Your web site can be designed to be used as a marketing tool,
as a product or service information centre, as a retail outlet, for publishing
media, or as a customer management system, so it is vital to consider
exactly what purpose you have in mind from the outset, and focus on that
in the web design thereafter.
Which of your current business needs is it to satisfy? Good web
design is dependant on knowing exactly how to answer that
question. Do you merely wish to establish a presence online? Will it simply
provide a convenient location for potential and existing customers to
discover more about the products or services you provide? Or will you
require it to be able to process transactions online? Do you want to improve
your service of existing customers or reach new ones? You must decide
what you want users to be able to do as well as what you want your web
site to say.
Targetting Your Audience
Once you have considered what purpose or function you want your web site
to fulfill, you need to consider the most important person in the mix,
your customer or potential customer. Who are they? Where do they come
from? Will the site be aimed at existing clients, or will it serve to
attract new ones? Having attracted them in, how best to keep them coming
back? These factors will effect how we develop your web site and how we plan your internet marketing strategy.
Evaluating The Competition
Know your enemy! Before starting on your web design
it is always worth spending some time analysing your competitors. What
are they doing well, and how can you do it better?
Web Design & Your Business Image
Obviously important is the image you want your web site to project. Should
your web design reflect the practical or cheap nature
of your product or service, or will your target market be upmarket users
expecting something lavish? Your web site is going to be the face of your business for
online visitors, and choosing how you present yourself is a big decision.
Avatar Web Solutions can help you choose the option best suited
to your business by providing a range of alternative web site
designs to examine.
Web Site Design -Time & Budget
The final things to consider when developing a sound web & internet marketing strategy
are how soon do you need it and how much can you spend. Avatar Web Solutions
can set a timeline for developing your web site that is specific to your
needs, and to your budget. Perhaps you are preparing for a new product
launch, and ideally would like the site to tie in with that, or perhaps
you would like to fit it into some other promotional campaign in other
media. In situations like these it is obvious that you would require a
web presence sooner rather than later and should consider an approach
to your web site design that is incremental or stepped.
This technique will allow you to gain online visibility much quicker,
and also permits continued development in later phases.
Deciding on how much money to commit to your web site development is also critical. Costs can vary, depending on
what is required of the site, what functions it is to perform, and how it is to access information. The more
complicated the site, the more time and resources will be required of the various experts in design, programming
and content management.
The development of a sound web site strategy begins with the consideration
of the questions above. Once these have been answered to your satisfaction
you are ready to begin the first phase of your web site design.
If you have any questions about optimised
web site design, search
engine optimisation or Internet
Marketing please contact
us.
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