How to prepare for ordering a website project

Starting a website project is an exciting step in expanding your online presence. To ensure a smooth and successful process, proper preparation is the key.

Here’s what you should have done before collaborating with a web developer or agency.

Define your goal

Before starting the development of a website, it is crucial to understand why you are creating it. Defining its purpose, strategy, and target audience forms the foundation of a successful online presence. Neglecting these aspects can result in a website that fails to meet expectations and does not deliver the desired outcomes.

Begin by asking yourself:

What do I want to achieve with my website?

Goals can vary depending on the nature of your business and specific needs:

Increasing brand awareness

Building recognition and a positive image for the company.

Lead generation

Acquiring contact information from potential customers (e.g., through contact forms).

Online sales

Operating an online store and selling products or services.

Customer acquisition

Reaching new customers and generating business inquiries.

Information sharing

Providing knowledge and educating audiences (e.g., blogs, guides).

Customer support

Answering questions and resolving customer issues.

Develop a strategy

Strategy is an action plan that will help you achieve your set goals. It should answer the question of how you intend to reach them.

Start with a competitor analysis
Identify both direct and indirect competitors. Who offers similar products or services? Who competes for the attention of your potential customers?

Analyze competitors’ websites, paying attention to their design and usability. How do their sites look? Are they intuitive and user-friendly? What kind of content do they publish? What keywords do they use? What features do they offer (e.g., store, blog, forms)?

Check how well their websites are optimized for search engines. Look at their marketing activities (social media, ads, etc.).

Find the strong points of your competitors (e.g., excellent design, broad offerings, high Google rankings) and their weaknesses (e.g., outdated appearance, lack of updates, poor customer service).

Research the keywords they use. Utilize SEO tools (e.g., Google Keyword Planner) to discover the keywords driving traffic to their sites.

Examine their marketing strategies. What channels do they use (social media, email marketing, ads)? What type of content do they publish?

Based on your competitor analysis, identify opportunities for your website (e.g., lack of competition in a niche, potential for superior design) and threats (e.g., strong competition, large marketing budgets). What makes your website and offerings stand out from the competition?

Identify your target audience

Your target audience consists of the people you want to reach with your website. Consider who your ideal customer is. Accurately defining your target audience is crucial for effective content and marketing strategies.

Define theses aspects: age, gender, education, income and location,

What are your customers passionate about? What values do they hold?

What information do they search for? What websites do they visit? How do they shop?

Think about how you want to be perceived by your audience and define the values you aim to communicate.

Define content and features

A website is the modern-day showcase for any business, organization, or individual. To fulfill its purpose and attract users, it must offer relevant content and various functionalities.

Prepare the content you want to feature on the site – it’s a crucial element that affects search engine rankings and user engagement.

Gather images, illustrations, logos, and other visual materials, keeping copyright regulations in mind!

Define the elements, sections, and subpages your website should include.

Blog

A great way to publish articles regularly and build relationships with users.

Online store

Enables the sale of products and services online.

Forms surveys and newsletter sign-ups

help collect data and grow a customer base.

Social media integration

Allows for content sharing and user engagement.

Customer panel

Provides access to order history and invoices.

Booking system

Makes it easier to schedule appointments or accommodations.

Search function

Helps users find specific information quickly.

Chatbot

Can provide automated customer support.

Additionally, certain industries require specific functionalities. For example, restaurants may offer online menus and ordering options, while hotels might feature room booking systems and virtual tours. News portals can incorporate comments and article-sharing features, whereas e-commerce stores may include product recommendation systems and price comparison tools.

Consider style and design

Specify how you want your website to look. Highlight the elements that are most important to you. Gather inspiration, such as links to websites you find appealing.

Choose colors that align with your brand and target audience. Consider a layout that is both clear and functional.

Summary

Careful preparation is key to success. The more information and materials you provide to the developer, the better they will be able to bring your vision to life.

Good luck!