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You are here: Home / local business internet marketing / Want To Build A Website? 7 Questions To Ask Yourself First

Want To Build A Website? 7 Questions To Ask Yourself First

June 7, 2012 by Jan Kearney

This week I have spoken with several small businesses who already have a website. They’re now asking how to make it work…

The problem is when you build a website without understanding how the web works, you can be left with something that looks amazing and doesn’t do its job. Unfortunately, web designers have a habit of being great at design but totally clueless about how the web works and human nature.

When you build a website, you have two bosses – your target audience and the search bots.

You do need to give the search bots clues about where you are and what your web pages are about. You also need to play the popularity game and have other websites linking into you and social mentions. This is known as search optimisation and the whole game has changed over the last couple of months too.

You also need to know your audience, what they want and let them know what you want them to do. Yes, tell them what to do next. Tell them to pick up the phone, fill in the form, click the buy button.

It is certainly not a case of building your website and people just turning up and picking up the phone or clicking a buy button!

7 questions to ask before you build a website

1. Who is your audience? No, it’s not everyone.

2. What are their issues and how can you help them?

3. What type of words and phrases do they use when searching?

4. What do you want your website to achieve?

5. What actions do you want your viewers to take?

6. How are you going to promote your website?

7. How are you going to measure results?

When you come to build a website for your business, or redesign your current site, answer those questions first. Your web designer should be helping and working with you to answer them. How can they design something that is search and people friendly without knowing the answers themselves?

I made a mind-map not too long ago to help my clients understand the thought process and understand why I ask so many questions! This is the small version, you can download the PDF here.

Before you build a website - online business basics

Understand the online business basics before you build a website

It is a lot to take in and a lot of work up front, but it is worth it. You’ll save time, effort, frustration and of course money in the long run. Understand that when you build a website it’s not a one off job, it needs updating, maintaining, analysing and promoting. 

If you are not prepared to put in the time and effort to build a website with the basics for it to work for you (or hire someone to do it) then what is the point in investing in a website in the first place?  Your thoughts are welcome in the box below 🙂

Want To Build A Website? 7 Questions To Ask Yourself First by Jan Kearney
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Filed Under: local business internet marketing Tagged With: business website, local business website, small business website, web design mistakes

About Jan Kearney

I believe that every business, no matter how small or how local can use the power of the web to gain more customers. I offer no bull coaching and mentoring so small business owners can strategically put the web to work for their business. I've been called a "compass" and a "navigator" and probably a few more names that aren't suitable for a profile!
Connect with me on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest

Comments

  1. Naomi Johnson says

    June 8, 2012 at 12:13 pm

    Really useful article & common sense tips! The mind-map is great, I shall be keeping that for future reference 🙂
    Thanks.

    • Jan Kearney says

      June 8, 2012 at 12:43 pm

      Hi Naomi, thanks for popping in, glad you like the mind-map too 🙂

  2. Jane says

    June 8, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    Thanks Jan, Great article and mind map – helped me think about my website some more http://www.cheshirepetsitters.co.uk 🙂 and given me some thoughts about how to focus more on target audience and ‘where they hang out’. Off to do some research.

    • Jan Kearney says

      June 8, 2012 at 12:46 pm

      Hi Jane 🙂 It’s all about the audience, enjoy your research!

  3. Ginny Carter says

    June 8, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Nice one. I’ve copied and pasted it into the brief for my new website (forthcoming…) so I can consider all these points before we start off.

    • Jan Kearney says

      June 8, 2012 at 12:47 pm

      Hi Ginny! A new website, what are you up to? Yes, I am nosey!

  4. Mike Chesworth says

    June 8, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    Great post. It explains why paying cheap for a website doesn’t work. Love the mind map I may keep that for future reference.

    • Jan Kearney says

      June 9, 2012 at 10:34 am

      Glad you liked the Mindmap Mike. As you know, there’s a lot more to a website than just getting something online 🙂 Thanks for popping in and taking the time to comment 🙂

  5. Ginny Carter says

    June 8, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    Thanks Jan in the ‘pre’ stages – probably more of design than a technical change.

    • Jan Kearney says

      June 9, 2012 at 10:35 am

      Good luck with that Ginny, looking forward to seeing it 🙂

  6. Miraz says

    June 25, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    I want to say about the image you posted with your article…its very amazing and so much helpful to understand online business way

    • Jan Kearney says

      June 25, 2012 at 5:15 pm

      Thank you for your kind words Miraz 🙂

Meet Jan Kearney

I believe that every business, no matter how small or how local can use the power of the web to gain more customers. I offer no bull coaching and mentoring so small business owners can strategically put the web to work for their business. I've been called a "compass" and a "navigator" and probably a few more names that aren't suitable for a profile!
Connect with me on Google+, Facebook, Pinterest or Discover More About My Local Business Online…

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Jan Kearney
and My Local Business Online
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