Web Site Design: How to Plan for Success

Statistics show that nearly one million new web sites are launched in the U.S. every year. Having a web address and online presence has become as common place, and expected, as having a logo and business card. Business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing places a great demand, as well as dependence, on having a domain name (url or web address), company email address and web site. Why? They instill consumer confidence just like a physical office or store front, mailing address, phone number and business card.

At some point your business will be ready to enter the World Wide Web. A little research, planning and preparation are essential to the development and success of your web site.

It is recommended that you consult with a business or marketing professional to determine the marketing goals of your web site before you actually begin developing or designing the web site. The marketing goals (why you are creating the web site) should drive many of the decisions you will make, including the selection of a domain name, email account set up and identifying the type of web site needed (content-driven, database-driven, e-commerce, members only, etc.). Web design companies can generally help you identify the type of web site best suited to meet your specific needs.

Identifying your marketing goals and the type of web site needed drive many long-term (and often ongoing) components in the development of a web site. These components include size (number of pages), content requirements, web design and programming, graphic design, and hosting requirements.

Whether you choose to design the web site yourself or hire a web designer, recognizing the value in web site planning cannot be overstated. Adequate preparation on the front-end will save you time, money and frustration down the road.

Gabrielle Melisende, founder of Destination Graphix, is an editor, writer, graphic designer and marketing specialist. She writes and designs Eye On Leander (dist. 14,000+), a business publication promoting economic development in the fourth fastest growing city in Texas. She helps entrepreneurs, home-based and small business owners with business identity, marketing strategies and business communications from concept to delivery.