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Whether you are planning
a new website or revamping an existing website, this
Website Development Checklist should prove helpful.
Website Function
- If you currently have a website, what do you like
best and least about it?
- What type of website best reflects your needs?
Should your website be To-the-point, Flashy, Sophisticated,
or Interactive?
- What is the major function of your website? Is
the content on your website primarily for General
Information, Education, Promotion, Entertainment,
Commerce, or as a User/Customer Contact Point?
- What elements do you need to effectively present
your content? Will you require Forms, Contests, Shopping,
Photos, Email Promotion, Advertisers, Audio, Video,
Streaming, Blogs or Bulletin Boards?
- What is the most important area or activity within
your website?
- How many "pages" do you think you will
need for your website?
- How many email addresses do you think you will need
for your website?
- How often will your website need to be updated?
Do you require updates Daily, Weekly, Periodically,
Seasonally?
- How important do you feel a website is to your business?
- Do you need access to website traffic statistics?
- Do you currently own the existing or new website
domain(s)?
- Do you currently have an Internet service provider?
Website Design
- Are there websites you have visited that you especially
like? What in particular did you like about each website?
- Do you have existing branding that needs to be reflected
in your website design?
- Do you need a new logo or branding with the launch
of a new website?
- Who is your target audience?
- What do you want viewers to do when they visit your
website?
- How will you get visitors to return to your website?
- Have you developed an outline of your website's
content?
- Who will provide the content?
- Do you want to be able to access your website for
content updates?
- If you are providing third-party content, do you
have the necessary copyright or royalty releases?
- Do you have partnerships or sponsors that should
be included in your website or that need to be part
of the development process?
- Will you offer space for paid advertising?
- What is the one most important thing you hope to
achieve through this website?
- What goals have you established to measure your
website's success?
- When would you like your new or revised website
to go live?
Website Promotion
- Do you currently promote or plan to promote your
website? If yes, how? Do you include it on all stationery,
emails, bookmark your website, share links, and suggest
emailing the website to a friend?
- Are you interested in search engine optimization
and reporting through paid web-based programs?
- Are there websites or marketing affiliates that
you would like to link to or request link sharing
with?
- Are there print or online directories where your
website should be listed?
- What keywords are especially significant to your
website?
- What is your mission statement?
- Do you plan to have a request for information form
or email? If yes, who is responsible for a timely
response?
- Do you plan to develop an email list for newsletters,
promotions, or other communication?
Some advice ...
- Determine your expectations and know if they are
realistic
- Allow that a website may cost more and take longer
than you think
- It's alright to start modestly and grow the website
over time
- A website requires essential elements for success
so don't cut corners
- Balance flash and substance and don't distract from
your goals
- Having a website won't guarantee visitors
- A website is more effective with valid and fresh
content
- Don't spend a lot to promote a little - meet your
viewers' expectations
- Treat the Web designers and developers as part of
your team
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