Keys to successful websites – Start with goals

Contact steve@addedvalueweb.com (or call 248-470-3468) for information.

When building your website you’ll find it easier to develop your content if you have a clear understanding of your own web goals. The content is also more likely to have the impact you want with your audience as a result.

When I ask my customers how they would approach creating a website, most of them start with the content. I listen for a while before backing them up to ask about their purpose. “What do you hope to accomplish with this website?” and “Why do you want to put this specific information on this specific page?”

The initial responses I often hear are vague. They often start with the content saying, “I need a page for this… and a page for that…” I guide them through a process to help pinpoint their goals. Once they can identify these, I can suggest the types of content to address those goals and the different ways to present that content in the website and on specific pages.

Web Goals/Content Worksheet

I developed this worksheet to jumpstart your thinking about goals and content. Circle 3 or 4 goals from the left column that resonate with the purpose of your website. Write your own if necessary. Circle the content items in the right column (or add your own) that you think would support those goals.

Now draw lines from each goal to the content item(s) that match best. This is more art than science, so don’t get hung up on the “right” answer. It will change as you go through the development process anyhow.

Examples:

To retain existing customers,…

• We will offer more ways to use our products – through tips, instruction manuals, and examples of how other customers use our product. (These examples will be contributed by customers through the website.)

Customer loyalty will be rewarded…

• By alerting registered customers to special offers and giving advance notice about releases of new products.

Feedback for developing new products will be gathered…

• By allowing registered customers to test new products and complete online surveys.

To reduce complaints and product returns,…

• We will publish clearly illustrated instructions for assembly and troubleshooting steps. A live chat feature will connect customers with technical support in real-time. A label directly on the product will list the website customer service/product support page.

WORKSHEET:

• Start with goals – PDF file to download and print