5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Designing Your Website
So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in a website for your business. Hooray!!
But now you might find yourself wondering…
What do I need to do before building my website?
Trust me, I’ve been there! As soon as I decided I was ready for a website, I wanted it to happen right away! Then I found myself wondering… “Where do I start? What do I even need?”
I spent hours researching great domain names, what layout was the best, and what fonts to use.
Spoiler alert:
These things are not nearly as important as the actual content, value, and functionality of your website.
While the visual aspects of your brand are very important, there are a few other things we should also consider when creating our website.
So, whether you are flying solo, or investing in a professional,
Here are 5 questions you should ask yourself before you start designing your website:
Who is your target audience?
What is your goal for your website?
Do you already have a website, or are you starting from scratch?
Do you have an established brand?
What kind of content do you need to add to your site?
So let’s dive in!
Who is your target audience?
This is a very important first question because it determines a lot of the actions we are going to take when designing your website.
Is your target audience younger and tech-savvy? Are they older and in need of a user-friendly site without all of the bells and whistles?
Are they fitness enthusiasts looking to book a class or see where your studio is?
Are you a photographer whose target audience is looking for examples of your past work?
These are all things that are going to shape the overall look and feel of your site, including the number of pages, layout, photos, and copy you will need.
What is your goal for your website?
Are you looking to provide information about your product or service?
Do you want to start an email marketing strategy?
Maybe you’re looking to sell directly from your site, or have customers book appointments without having to call or email back and forth.
All of these are possible, but they may not all apply specifically to your business. This is why it’s really important to sort out what you are and are not looking for when thinking out your site layout.
Do you already have a website, or are you starting from scratch?
If you have a website, but you’re looking to make a change, it’s important that you get specific and ask yourself what you do and don’t like about your current website. Sometimes, we get into this funk of “I just want something different,” which is very true. But when you can break it down and list the things that aren’t working for you, and what you would like to see instead, you’re saving yourself so much time and hassle in the long run!
If you don’t have a website yet, you get to start from scratch!
Don’t worry, this isn’t as terrifying as it might sound!
When you’re starting from a blank canvas, you get to be intentional and create something that’s a true extension of you and your brand (more on that in a minute).
So take the time to do a bit of research. Are there any websites that inspire you? Is there a common theme in your particular niche that seems to be doing well?
You aren’t going to steal someone’s branding or content. You have your unique vision and value!
But getting an idea of what is already working in your industry is smart market research!
Do you have an established brand?
This is a really important question to ask yourself because your website is your virtual storefront.
This is your opportunity to let your customers know who you are, who you help, what you do, and what you stand for!
With consistent branding, your target audience is going to get to know you, and you’ll be able to establish a rapport and a foundation of trust.
When you are creating your website, visual aspects like colors, fonts, images, and logos will help communicate your message to your target audience.
But your brand is more than just colors and fonts.
Sure, those things are definitely important factors, but your brand is also your words, actions, and all of the things that set you apart from everyone else in your industry.
What makes you different? What is the reason your customers are wanting to work with you over anyone else?
How do you want people to feel about your business?
Take a few minutes to decide how you want to portray yourself to your target audience, and when you’re ready, put your plan into action!
Do you have photos and content ready to go?
This will go hand in hand with branding. Having your visual elements and your message planned out will make your site look professional from the start!
You don’t have to overthink this part though. While it’s great to have your professional photoshoot and all of your copy perfectly written, don’t let it get you so bogged down that you don’t think you can’t start.
In the end, your website is going to grow and flourish with you.
So don’t feel like you have to have it all figured out right away. There will always be room for improvement, but these questions help you develop the strong foundation that your website needs to be an asset to your business!
Hopefully, this gives you an idea of what to expect when you meet with a web designer or dive into the project on your own.
If you’re ready to invest in a web designer, let’s chat! I would love to hear about your goals and the value you are bringing to the world!
