There are a few things that make a good website — design, branding and content — but a great website starts before that. That’s why Infomedia takes a strategy-first approach.
Not only will this help you take a good website to a great one, but it will also allow you to create a website that will grow with your business and last for years to come. Keep reading for tips to help you create a solid website strategy.
What is a Website Strategy?
The strategy phase is the foundation of the entire website-building process. Think of it like building a house. If you only look at the design of a home, it won’t last very long. You need to start with a blueprint, and the same holds true for your website. By taking a design-first approach, you’ll end up with a trendy website that won’t work long term. With our strategy-first approach, you’ll get a clearly defined scope and sitemap, ensuring that your website is built to meet all your business needs.
Steps to Creating a Website Strategy
Now that you know why you need to start with a website strategy, let’s get into how to create one that will set your website up for success.
Define Your Goals
A website that is talking to everyone is actually talking to no one. That’s why the first step of your strategy should be to decide what your website goals are. Do you want to sell more products? Do you want to educate your customers about your business or industry?
Once you’ve defined two or three goals, you can decide how to create a website that achieves those goals.
Determine What You Want to Say
Every business has a story to tell. The trick is finding the right story and telling it in a simple way that will resonate with your website visitors. You don’t want to overwhelm your audience with too much information. It’ll distract them from the key purpose of your website, (which are the goals from the first step.)
Take a Look At Your Content
Now that you know what you want your website to do and what you want your website to say, it’s time to look at how to get there. Content — including copy, photography and video — is a vital piece of your website.
Start by taking an inventory of the content you already have. Does it align with your goals? If so, use it on your new website! Then, you can make a list of what content you still need for your new site. If copywriting isn’t your thing, don’t worry. We can help you create compelling content that achieves your business goals.
Decide Who Your Audience Is
Next up, you need to know exactly who your website is targeting. A great place to start is by looking at the demographics of your current customers. Google Analytics is a valuable tool that can tell you all about your website visitors’ demographics — age, location, interests and more. Once you know who you’re talking to, it’ll be easier to create content and design that speaks to them directly.
Put Your Plan into Action
Last, but certainly not least, it’s time to start putting all that well-thought-out planning into action. (Also known as the fun part.) Once you have your strategy in place, you can start thinking about design and development.
If you need some help creating a website strategy that will grow with your business, our project managers are here to help. Get in touch today to find out how.
