21 things you should plan before creating a website for your business
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Creating a website for your business involves more than just picking a design and filling it with content. There are several important steps to consider to make sure your site effectively supports your goals and serves your audience.
1. Define your website’s purpose
Start by understanding why you need a website in the first place. Are you aiming to sell products, generate leads, or simply provide information about your business? Defining the purpose will help you shape the rest of the website planning process and ensure everything aligns with your main objectives.
2. Identify your target audience
Next, think about who your ideal visitors are. Understanding your target audience’s needs, interests, and online behaviour will guide many of your design and content decisions. Knowing who you’re speaking to helps in crafting a site that appeals directly to them and addresses their concerns.
3. Conduct market research
It’s helpful to look at what your competitors are doing. By analysing their websites, you can identify industry trends and find opportunities to differentiate your own site. This research will help you understand what works in your market and what you can do better.
4. Choose a domain name
Selecting a memorable and relevant domain name is important. It should reflect your business and be easy to spell and recall. A good domain name helps in making a strong first impression and can be a key factor in attracting visitors.
5. Decide on hosting requirements
You’ll need to choose a hosting provider that meets your needs. Think about factors like bandwidth, storage, and customer support. Your hosting choice affects your site’s performance and reliability, so it’s worth taking the time to find a good fit.
6. Plan your website’s structure
Develop a sitemap that outlines the main sections and pages of your site. This will help you visualise how content is organised and how users will navigate through the site. A clear structure is important for guiding visitors and making your site easy to use.
7. Create a content strategy
Plan out the type of content you need, whether it’s text, images, or videos. Develop a content calendar to schedule when and how often you’ll publish new material. A well-thought-out content strategy helps in keeping your site fresh and engaging.
8. Design a brand identity
Decide on the visual elements of your site, such as brand colours, fonts, and logos. Consistency with your existing branding helps in reinforcing your business’s identity and makes your site more recognisable to visitors.
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9. Plan for mobile responsiveness
Make sure your website looks good and works well on mobile devices. Mobile-friendly design is important as more people access websites from their phones and tablets. Planning for this aspect helps in reaching a broader audience and improving overall accessibility.
10. Set up website functionality
Think about the features your site will need, such as contact forms or e-commerce capabilities. If you plan to integrate third-party services, such as payment processors or CRM systems, make sure these requirements are part of your planning.
11. Outline a budget
Establish a budget for various aspects of your website, including design, development, content creation, and ongoing maintenance. Factor in any additional costs for plugins or premium features. A clear budget helps in managing expenses and ensuring you don’t overspend.
12. Develop a timeline
Create a timeline for each phase of the website project, including design, development, and launch. Set milestones and deadlines to keep the project on track. Having a timeline helps in managing progress and ensures the project stays organised.
13. Consider SEO strategies
Plan for search engine optimisation (SEO) by deciding on key meta tags, keywords, and other on-page elements. Develop a strategy for ongoing SEO efforts to improve your site’s visibility in search results. Effective SEO planning helps in attracting more visitors to your site.
14. Plan for content management
Choose a content management system (CMS) that fits your needs and is easy to manage. Consider how you will update and maintain the site’s content. Selecting the right CMS makes it easier to keep your site current and manage content efficiently.
15. Design a user-friendly navigation
Plan for clear and simple navigation that helps visitors find what they’re looking for quickly. Good navigation design is important for keeping users engaged and making their browsing experience smooth.
16. Set up analytics and tracking
Install tools to monitor your website’s performance and track key metrics. Decide on the metrics you’ll use to measure success, such as visitor numbers or conversion rates. Analytics help in understanding how well your site is performing and where improvements may be needed.
17. Create a security plan
Consider the measures needed to protect your website from threats. Plan for regular updates and backups to safeguard your site. A solid security plan helps in preventing potential issues and protecting your site’s data.
18. Plan for legal requirements
Make sure your site complies with relevant regulations, such as GDPR and cookie policies. Include necessary legal disclaimers and terms of service. Addressing legal requirements helps in avoiding potential legal issues and builds trust with visitors.
19. Test the website
Thoroughly test your site across different devices and browsers before launching. Identify and resolve any issues that arise during testing. Proper testing ensures that your site functions correctly and provides a good experience for all users.
20. Develop a launch strategy
Plan how you will announce and promote the launch of your website. Consider using press releases, social media, and other marketing methods to get the word out. A well-thought-out launch strategy helps in generating interest and attracting visitors to your new site.
21. Prepare for ongoing maintenance
Plan for regular updates and content additions to keep your site relevant and functional. Set up a process for managing technical issues and making improvements as needed. Ongoing maintenance helps in keeping your site in good shape and adapting to changing needs.
In conclusion, planning is a vital part of creating a successful website for your business. By addressing these 21 key areas, you can build a site that not only meets your business goals but also serves your audience effectively. Taking the time to thoroughly plan each aspect will set the stage for a well-functioning and impactful website.
FAQs about website for your business
Why is a website for your business important?
A website for your business is crucial because it acts as your digital storefront, available 24/7 to customers and clients. It helps establish credibility, reach a wider audience, showcase your products or services, and serve as a hub for your marketing efforts. A professional website for your business also enables customers to find information quickly, leading to increased trust and sales.
How can a website for your business help grow your company?
A website for your business can significantly help grow your company by providing a platform to reach new customers, offering online sales through e-commerce, and generating leads through contact forms and landing pages. It also allows you to showcase your expertise with blogs, case studies, and testimonials, building trust with potential clients. Additionally, a well-optimized website for your business can drive organic traffic from search engines, increasing visibility and attracting more customers.
What should be included in a website for your business?
A website for your business should include essential elements such as a clear and compelling homepage, detailed product or service pages, an about us section, contact information, and a blog or news section. Additionally, a website for your business should feature a user-friendly navigation menu, calls to action, and integration with social media. Depending on your business, you might also include e-commerce functionality, customer testimonials, and a portfolio of your work.
How long does it take to build a website for your business?
The time it takes to build a website for your business depends on the complexity of the site, the amount of content required, and any custom functionality needed. A basic website for your business can take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, while a more complex site with custom features, e-commerce, or extensive content may take several months. The timeline includes planning, design, development, testing, and final deployment.
How much does it cost to build a website for your business?
The cost of building a website for your business varies based on the scope of the project, the number of pages, custom features, and the level of design required. A basic website for your business might range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while a custom-designed website with advanced functionality could cost significantly more. It’s important to discuss your specific needs with a web design professional to get an accurate estimate.
Can you update the content on a website for your business?
Yes, most modern websites for your business are built on content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, which allow you to easily update content without needing technical expertise. You can add or edit text, images, blog posts, and other content through a user-friendly interface. If you prefer, you can also have a web design professional manage updates for your website for your business.
Will a website for your business be mobile-friendly?
Yes, a professionally designed website for your business will be mobile-friendly, meaning it will adapt to different screen sizes and devices, including smartphones and tablets. This is essential because a large percentage of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. A mobile-friendly website for your business ensures that your customers have a seamless experience, regardless of how they access your site.
How can you drive traffic to a website for your business?
You can drive traffic to a website for your business through several strategies, including search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, social media promotion, and paid advertising like Google Ads or social media ads. Regularly updating your website for your business with fresh content, such as blog posts, can also help attract visitors. Additionally, ensuring your website for your business is listed on Google My Business and other directories can improve local visibility.
What ongoing maintenance is required for a website for your business?
A website for your business requires ongoing maintenance to ensure it stays secure, up-to-date, and fully functional. This includes regular software updates, security monitoring, backups, and content updates. Depending on your needs, you might also require ongoing SEO work and performance optimization to keep your website for your business running smoothly and ranking well in search engines.
Can you redesign an existing website for your business?
Yes, we can redesign an existing website for your business to improve its appearance, functionality, and user experience. Whether your current website for your business is outdated, doesn’t reflect your brand, or lacks modern features, a redesign can breathe new life into it. The redesign process can also involve optimizing the website for your business for better performance, mobile responsiveness, and search engine visibility.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
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Kyra Pieterse
Author
Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.
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