7 Steps to Planning a Successful New Website

We hear this quite often, and although building a website is not rocket science, there are some important steps that most people overlook when they are starting out.

So, we recommend that you slow down, get out some paper and colourful pens and do a little bit of work before you start creating the shiny new website you are so eager to create.

Because proper planning is essential to ensure that your website meets your goals and serves your audience effectively. Without it, you may have a lovely looking website taht does very little and sees no visitors.

So here are the key steps we recommend before diving into the actual build, which will help you lay a solid foundation for your new website.

1. Define Your Goals

Before starting the design and development process, clearly define what you want to achieve with your website.

Are you looking to increase sales, generate leads, provide information, or build a community? Having these specific goals in mind will guide your decisions throughout the project.

2. Understand Your Audience

Identify who your target audience is and what their needs are. Conduct market research to gather insights into their preferences, behaviours, and pain points.

This understanding will help you create a user-centered design that resonates with your visitors.

3. Plan Your Content

Content is a critical component of any website. Create a content strategy that outlines what type of content you will include, such as text, images, videos, and blogs.

Organise your content so that you can plan for regular updates to keep your site fresh and engaging.

4. Choose the Right Platform

Select a website platform that aligns with your goals and technical capabilities.

We often see people choose the wrong platform based on well-meaning friends who just don't understand how each website platform differs. If you're stuck at this point, we offer a free Discovery Call to help you decide on the best way forward for your business, so why not give us a call?!

5. Create a Sitemap

A sitemap is a visual representation of your website's structure. It helps you organise your content and ensures that users can navigate your site easily.

Create a sitemap that outlines the main pages and subpages, making it easier to visualise the user journey.

6. Design with User Experience in Mind

Your sitemap is a great place to start thinking about user experience (UX).

UX is crucial for keeping visitors engaged. Focus on creating a clean, intuitive design that guides users through your site. Pay attention to navigation, load times, and mobile responsiveness to enhance the overall experience.

7. Plan for SEO

Search engine optimisation (SEO) should be integrated into your planning process and not left as an afterthought.

Research keywords relevant to your business and incorporate them into your content strategy. Consider technical SEO aspects, such as site speed and mobile-friendliness, to improve your search engine rankings.

Remember, proper planning is the key to most things in life and creating a website that stands out and does what you want it to do for your business is no different.

If you need any help with any of these steps, why not get in touch and see how we can help you plan your business website the right way?