Part One: Setting Goals for Your Site
When planning a new web site or analyzing your existing site, start with your home page. This is the online “face” of your company. The home page should provide an overview of what you do or offer, while beginning to establish trust with your new and repeat visitor. The content you choose to highlight on your home page will be critical to attracting a potential customer and encouraging them to explore the rest of your site.
Goals = Success
Setting clear goals will ensure an effective web site and help determine how your site should be designed.
Ask Yourself the Following Questions:
- What is the goal of my web site?
- What audience do I want to reach?
- What are they looking for when they visit my site?
- What action do I want my visitors to take?
- What are the key messages I want to convey?
Effective Goals
An effective goal will tie directly to a customer’s needs and differentiates your company from your competition.
The following are examples of effective goals:
- Answer the top questions my customers will ask.
- Home page explicitly states what my company does.
- The web site is organized and uncluttered.
- The web site contains specific information describing my products and services.
- Text contains critical keywords to ensure Search Engine Optimization.
