If you’re planning to create a new small business website or enhance an existing website, this series will help you improve your chances for success.

STEP 1: DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Before you start a new website project, always allow time for research. Who are your competitors? What are the features available on the websites of your top competitors? Who will benefit the most from this website or new website feature: your target audience, your existing audience, your staff etc?

Effective websites are planned with a target audience in mind. The most successful website projects involve the target audience in the planning process. If you are unfamiliar with the opinions of your target audience, now is the time to survey your current and past customers regarding their experience while using your website. Don’t be afraid to ask your customers for feedback. You may find that the new and cool flash animation that you ‘had to have’ is an irritant to many of your best customers.

If you don’t have an existing website, survey your current and past customers regarding the features that they feel are most important to include on your future website or similar websites in your industry. This will provide valuable insight on how your website could enhance your level of service to your customers. You may also learn the content, features and functions that are attractive to new customers that are not familiar with your company.

When you survey your customers, be sure to keep the questions short and include both open and closed-ended questions. Also, gather some demographic data about the customer such as age, technical/internet experience and their past/current involvement with your company (i.e. services used/products purchased). Compile your results into a single document or spreadsheet. This data can help you begin to build a “profile” of your target website visitors. This information will serve to be very valuable once you begin to focus and prioritize your website development tasks.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Subscribers will receive a FREE eBook containing extended versions of Steps 1 – 9, as well as accompanying worksheets for managing your project. If you would like to receive the FREE ebook, join/fan the Websmith Group Facebook Page or subscribe to our eNewsletter.