Aug 09
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Planning Your Web Site Development
When it comes to planning your web site development, you want users to be clear on what kind of content they will find on your site. Define the objective of your web site and develop around that.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
What is the one central message of your site? (This is usually derived from a mission statement – business or personal.) What is the purpose of your web site? Then make your web site reflect that purpose.
Decide what elements you need in your site: data-driven pages, applications, multi-media, e-store, advertising, a blog, news, or a combination of elements. The creative team will help with this decision. Use only what is necessary and pertinent to getting your message across.
Decide who is responsible for writing copy. It may be the design firm you chose to develop your web site, an independent consultant you hire, or someone from within your organization.
Web site design that includes a marketing plan usually involves carefully selecting and researching your target audience and communicates to them accordingly. What are you selling? Who is your target audience? What do you want to say to them? How should this message be communicated? Why should consumers choose your product? How will you get people to visit your site? You have to make them want to come back.
The Marketing Plan requires a team to help put the message together. The copy writer considers how the text will be written. The creatives or design people consider how to make the message come to life. They can also create the brand.
Brand is image; usually defined by a logo or symbol identifying the company. When starting to brand, consider the image that people will remember. Your image defines your company. Choose your logo, your branding carefully, as it is something you will want to remain constant throughout the life of your company.
Working With the Design Team
Communicate project specifications to the design team. Be sure objectives are clear. Provide examples when necessary. Design will be created from what is communicated.
The creative team will come up with a design concept based on the client specs. (1st approval)
The client will approve and work begins to create 3 design proposals. The design team’s job is to bring to life the client’s message and present it back to the client.
The client approves one of the designs. (2nd approval) Then web development begins, followed by testing and submitted for the final approval.
The creative maintains control & responsibility for conveying the message but in the end, the client ultimately makes a determination of what “fits” and represents the company brand.
These are just a few considerations. Hope this helps.
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