Step 2: Design Your Site

A thoughtful Web planning process is an opportunity to gain a fresh perspective on your business. Once you "own" the vision, the site will truly be your own.

Define your audience:

Who is your audience? Do they actively use the Web? What type of Internet speed do they have?  Who are you not reaching now? What would bring them to your site?

Identify Content:

Does your information classify easily into categories? Note any holes in your organization's story. Consider opt in newsletters, or rss feeds to keep your audience up to date with your business.

Consider the balance between static information vs. dynamic information. 99% of a web site’s life is maintenance.  How much maintenance have you designed into your site?  Take the time to plan ahead to limit your workload and your costs.

Design your web site for your audience, not your organization:

What information will your audience be looking for? What resources attract their eye and make them click into your site?  Make sure the "jewels" are easily accessible from your home page. Label the sections clearly and accurately.

Make your site as interactive as possible. Give them something to do: respond to a poll, take a quiz, or sign-up for a mailing list.

Get a handle on cost factors:

Review the wish list, note special features such as audio or video streaming, electronic slideshows, and online searchable databases.  Review the costs – set up and maintenance - keeping future growth in mind. 

Develop a wish list:

What design elements do you want to use to convey your content?  Remember to keep growth areas in mind when designing a site.  For example, we may set up a page knowing we will add streaming video at a later date. 

Keep focused:

If things don't make sense, ask!  Computer Science classifies as a foreign language in most universities.  It looks like English, sounds like English, it’s not English!  Do not be afraid to ask lots of questions.