Introduction
To build a successful website you need to have a clear purpose, a user-centric design, and a strategic roadmap for launch and beyond. 252,000 new websites are created each day, so you want to make sure that yours stands out (Source: Forbes).
In this guide we will equip you with the essential steps to plan and launch a successful website, and how to establish yourself as an industry leader online.
Set Your Goals
Before diving into design and development, it's crucial to define what success means for your website. Employing the SMART goal framework is an effective strategy. SMART stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound and should be used for any goal setting discussions.
Specific
Clearly define your website's objectives. Do you want to increase online sales by X% within a year, or establish yourself as an industry thought leader through informative content?
Measurable
Ensure you can track your progress using data and metrics. Website analytics tools can monitor traffic, while internal sales tracking can measure revenue generated.
Achievable
Be realistic about your goals, considering your resources and timeframe. Setting ambitious yet attainable objectives is key.
Time-Bound
Establish deadlines for your goals to maintain momentum and keep your project on track.
Once you have defined your SMART goals, develop a strategic plan outlining the actions required to achieve them. This might involve improving user experience to enhance visitor satisfaction, optimising your website for search engines (SEO) to increase visibility, or creating compelling content to engage your advice.
Understanding Your Users and Competitors
Understanding your target audience is crucial to designing a website that effectively meets their needs. First you must determine who your primary website users will be. Consider factors such as age, gender, location, interests, education level, and specific planning stages.
Next, develop user personas. Create detailed profiles representing your typical users. Include demographics, behaviours, motivation, and challenges they face. While user personas are not a substitute for real user testing, they provide valuable insight during the initial planning stages.
Finally in this step you need to analyse your competitors' websites. Examine the websites of your direct competitors to learn valuable lessons about the market and how to succeed in it. Research their websites, noting strengths and weaknesses in areas like design elements, content style, and overall user experience. Identify any gaps in the market that your website can fill and craft unique value propositions to set yourself apart.
Building Your Website Strategy
Once you have completed your audience and competitor research, consolidate your findings and decisions into a comprehensive strategy. This strategy will serve as a roadmap throughout the design process, ensuring your website cater to your target audience and stands out from the competition.
Here are some key elements to incorporate into your website strategy.
Content Strategy
Plan the types of content you will use, such as text, images, videos, or infographics. Consider the tone of voice that will resonate with your audience and begin outlining or drafting content for key pages.
SEO Planning
SEO should be considered from the outset. Utilise keyword research to guide content creation and ensure your website's structure and code are optimised for search engines. This will increase your website's ranking in search results., attracting more organic traffic.
Site Structure Mapping
Create a sitemap outlining all of the pages you plan to include and how they will be interconnected. Think about the user journey you want visitors to take and prioritise intuitive navigation.
Design and Development Considerations
The design and technical aspects of your website significantly impact user experience. For example, you should design for usability and accessibility. Prioritise a user friendly design that ensures your website is easy to navigate and works seamlessly across various devices and browsers. Accessibility for people with disabilities is also essential.
Furthermore, select the right technologies that will power your website. This includes choosing the right CMS, for example we use Webflow at emd:digital. If you find you lack expertise in this area, consider seeking professional web design help. A professional web designer can ensure your website uses the latest technologies and avoid potential problems from the get go.
Setting Realistic Timelines and Budgets
Timelines
Streamlining your project planning requires establishing a realistic timeline and budget. You can create project phase deadlines by breaking down the project into distinct phases, for example, design, development, content creation etc.
Then assign a realistic deadline to each, considering the project's complexity and available resources. Ensure each deadline aligns with your overall project goals for a cohesive timeline.
Budgets
You will also need a detailed budget. Itemise all project components, including design, development, content creation, and any necessary third-party services (e.g. copywriting or photography). Estimate the cost of each element based on quotes, past projects, industry standards. Allocate funds for unexpected expenses to avoid budget overruns. Review and adjust the budget as the project progresses to stay on track.
Launching Your Successful Website
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to launching a website that achieves your business goals and attracts your target audience. Remember, a successful website is an on-going process. Continuously monitor your website's performance using analytics tools to track key metrics like traffic sources, user behaviour, and conversion rates.
Continue to analyse this data to identify areas for improvement and make adjustments as needed. A/B testing different design elements and content variations can help you optimise your website for better user engagement and conversions.
Here are some additional tips for ongoing website success:
- Maintain new content: Regularly update your website with fresh content to keep visitors engage and coming back for more. This could include blog posts, podcasts, case studies, or product updates.
- Prioritise security: Implement strong security measure to protect your website and user data. This includes SSL certification and keeping your website software up to date.
- Responsive web design: With the majority of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, ensure your website is responsive and provides an optimal user experience across all screen sizes.
- Promote your website: Don't just build it and hope they come. Actively promote your website through social media, PPC, or email marketing campaigns.
Final Thoughts
Remember your website is a dynamic tool. As your business evolves, your website should follow. Regular reviews and updates will ensure your website continues to meet your needs and the needs of your target audience.
Follow these steps to ensure your website remains a valuable asset for your business well into the future!
