This post is part 6 of the “10 Things Every Business Should Know Before Starting a Website” post.
Thing #6: What do you hope to accomplish with your website? There are many types of websites come in all shapes and sizes including e-commerce, marketing/advertising, web applications, and social networking websites. In the sea of web designers/developers, there are many levels of experience in each of these types of websites. Once you know what you hope to accomplish through your website, you can begin your search for a web designer/programmer with experience creating your desired website type.
The website that is right for you depends on three things: what your company or organization needs, what your customers/clients need, and what your stakeholders need. Before beginning any website project, it is important to pinpoint exactly what you are hoping to accomplish to meet the needs of these groups.
For example, let’s say that you are an organization who coordinates various events for the local state fairground. Your website will have many audiences, all of which you need to keep in mind before creating your website: your company, your prospective spectators, your vendors, your current and prospective sponsors, and your community. In order to meet the needs of your company, the first item on your list of requirements for your website is e-commerce, or the ability to sell tickets to your events on your website. In order to do this effectively though, you will want to consider the needs of your prospective spectators. In this case, they will most likely want to know the location of the event, what they should or should not bring with them, what other events you will be offering, your refund policy and the contact information for your company, to name a few items.
Vendors have their own list of needs that can be meet through your website. Tops on their list would probably be your location, contact information, company history and reputation, and time and date of the event(s).
Sponsors would probably love to have their company listed on your website in exchange for their sponsorship dollars. In addition, prospective sponsors could learn more about your company through your “About Us” page.
Stakeholders would like to know about the success of your current events, your future event plans, your leadership team, and your current stock price.
And finally, there is your community. Every business affects their community in one way or another. In this case, the community as a whole will probably want information about your events, any job openings you may have, your current stock price, and your plans for expansion.
