How To Design A Website Before You Design The Website

Would you throw a young kid into a swimming pool without his arm-floaties or swim-trunks on? We hope not! (definitely worth a try once, though, just to see his reaction) It’s the same thing with designing your website and planning out marketing goals and objectives. Jumping into a project without the right gear, mindset, or communication can just lead to a mess of noise, splashing, and tears (lots of tears). Preparation, thinking, and well-planned strategy before any actual web-work are the best tools for hitting company goals and objectives. We’ll detail 9 quick pointers on how to get ready for the open waters of the website design ocean before you dive in.

1. 1. Talk to Your Clients
      Once you’ve attracted a potential client, be at their full disposal. Your purpose is to serve them, and to do business FOR them. Make sure your conversation is straight-forward and that you’ve understood exactly what they want. That should be the focus of the conversation: What do they want? Your job is to follow that to the tee.

 

1. 1. Create a Site Map
      A site map is basically a flow-chart or a business blue-print for carrying out a certain set of objectives. Once you’ve got your client information, start sketching (yes, with a pen and paper) your plan of action. As simple as making this outline may seem, it is actually quite effective. Writing down your rudimentary thoughts will help you actualize your vision for their (and your) website and marketing goals. For additional information, KissMetric will tell you WHY a site map is important.

 

1. 1. Communicate With Your Team
      You’ve communicated with your client, now communication with your team is key. If you’ve heard that before it’s because it’s true. When you’ve gotten a clearer sense of organization for your project, it’s crucial that you have a company meeting. Make sure everyone is on the same page and that the larger goals are first addressed. Then address individuals on the work that is expected from them. It is a good idea to have the whole team understand how all the components are working together to create the big picture.

 

1. 1. Clarify Objectives
      Your goals should be very clear. If the goal is clearly in sight, the path to achievement can be attained with a head-on bull-dozing of hard work! If there is still any confusion, be sure to clear it up with individual team members and then re-assign work responsibilities if necessary.

 

1. 1. Be Original
      When working with your new client, it is imperative that you avoid duplicating the marketing style or offers of another company. If you can be replaced, it is likely that you will be. If you can offer products, services, and deals that can’t be found elsewhere, you’re gold, baby!

 

1. 1. Be Serious About Your Work
      All work, no play, yadda yadda, too bad, hunny! This is a cut-throat world. If customers are not satisfied, they will leave. Be on top of things and make sure that your team is executing their best work. Company incentives are good morale boosters, too.

 

1. 1. Follow-Up with Clients
      You should periodically follow-up with your clients and inform them on your progress. Discuss deadlines and any concerns that may cause immediate changes in your project plans. Maintaining consistent and friendly relationships with your clients will also show that you are sincere about your work and that you value their business. Definitely brownie points when it comes to recommendations at their next cocktail party.

 

1. 1. Make Your Offers Very Clear
      Nobody likes to beat around the bush (except for the bush-beaters, but nobody likes them anyway). When offering deals, services, and products on client websites or on your website, it is very important that you be up-front with your conditions and rates. The more specific you are about what you can do for clients, the more you will attract customers looking for help with your focused services. Being clever is a plus in the business world. Turn Your Visitors into Customers right here.

 

1. 1. Work the Best Way for You
      Last point, certainly not the least, is that you must work in a way that best suits you and your team. We hear some of you saying, “I work best with a bag of SunChips in front of the tube.” Hate to break it to ya, slim, that just ain’t gonna cut it. You know what we’re saying. Only you can know what conditions make you productive, but that’s the catch: always be productive. You’ll thank yourself later (and us, too).

 

1. Well, folks, it don’t get much clearer than that. Keep in mind that these are the guidelines every small business should consider BEFORE they actually do any work. If you have all these variables established and stabilized before you begin work, executing the plan will be as smooth as skinny-dipping in a river on warm summer nights.

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