There are many options to be considered when looking to design a new website, and with a whole range of different choices available it can be very confusing which option is right for you. If you’re a small or medium-sized business looking to create a professional website, here are five questions to ask yourself and your web designers to ensure that you produce something that meets your expectations and works as an efficient marketing tool.
1) Why do you want a website?
It sounds like an obvious question but it’s important to ask yourself what the overall goal of your website is. Although there are many general reasons that come to mind, you have to ask yourself exactly what you want out of it. Of course, you don’t want to be left behind in the world of the web, but you also don’t want to launch or redesign a site that doesn’t have a clear purpose. Do you want to sell products, give information about a certain industry or do you want to display your portfolio? Think about the content you want to put on the site and who you want to see it. Being sure of your reasons will mean you can make the right decisions when you approach a web designer.
2) How will people view your content?
More and more people are viewing content on their mobile phones, so if you’re thinking of designing a site that isn’t responsive to different screen sizes, you will miss out many potential viewers and customers. At Echo, we understand the importance of a responsive website, therefore, responsive design comes as part of our standard web design service. There are, however, many web design companies that charge extra for it, so make sure to check first to avoid extra costs.
3) What are your main calls to action?
Once you have decided the goal of your website, you need to ask yourself what the call-to-action will be. There has to be a clear intention and user journey behind your site to make it simple for customers to use and navigate. What do you want your visitors to do, and what information will help them do this? It might be you just want them to go to your contact page, or you might have an e-commerce site and want to drive an online sale. Whatever your objective, your website needs to be tailored to your business goals, and the right design is the way to do this.
4) What’s your budget for a redesign?
Redesigns don’t need to cost the earth but you do need to be realistic about the budget. Do you want to pay for ongoing maintenance or do you want a site with a simple CMS that you can run yourself? How is the site hosted and who can you turn to if there are issues. Echo can provide web design and maintenance solutions for all budgets. We will advise you on the best ways to keep your site looking its best once it’s launched and design it with you in mind so that you can run it yourself.
5) How does your website integrate with your digital marketing strategy?
There’s no point having a website to sell a product or service if you don’t know how people will find it. Equally, there’s no point in investing in online advertising if people lose interest on your landing page. A clear digital marketing strategy will help you understand the best way to lay out your website and the user journey you want your potential customers to go on. This journey starts before they’re on your website. Whether you use Google ads, Facebook Ads, Social Media or other digital channels, you need to ensure your website gets noticed. Think about how you will get users to find your website once it has launched.
The Echo team has a wealth of web design and digital marketing knowledge. We can ensure that your website is aligned with your business goals and expectations, advising you on the best strategies for your industry. If you have any questions about how our services can help you, book in for a free consultation via our contact page today.
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