Embarking on a website creation journey requires careful planning and consideration. Asking the right questions before building a website ensures a smooth process and a successful outcome. In this article, we’ll provide 20 essential questions to ask before building a website, with a focus on serving your customers and addressing their needs.
What is the primary purpose of the website?
Understanding the primary purpose of your website helps you make informed decisions about its design, content, and features. Common purposes include showcasing your products or services, offering educational content, or providing a platform for e-commerce transactions.
Who is your target audience?
Identify your target audience by considering demographics, interests, and online behaviors. This information will guide you in creating content that resonates with your audience and tailoring the user experience to their preferences.
What problems are you trying to solve for your audience?
Focusing on solving problems for your audience is at the heart of the “Serve don’t sell” approach. Determine the issues your target audience faces and how your website can address those pain points.
What goals do you want to achieve with the website?
Setting specific, measurable goals for your website ensures a clear direction for your project. Goals may include increasing brand awareness, generating leads, or driving sales.
How do you want your brand to be perceived online?
Your website should reflect your brand’s identity and values. Consider the tone, style, and messaging that will best represent your brand and resonate with your target audience.
What are your competitors doing, and how can you differentiate yourself from them?
Analyzing your competitors’ websites helps you identify gaps in the market and create a unique online presence. Examine their web design, content, SEO, and digital marketing strategies to gain insights and inspiration.
Which platform and technology are best suited for your needs and budget?
Choose a platform and technology that align with your goals, technical abilities, and budget. Consider content management systems (CMS), e-commerce platforms, or custom-built websites using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
What is the desired timeline for completing the website?
Establishing a realistic timeline for completing your website ensures a well-paced development process. Consider factors such as design, content creation, and website testing when setting your timeline.
What is your budget for building and maintaining the website?
Determine your budget for building and maintaining your website, including costs for hosting, domain registration, design, development, and ongoing maintenance.
How will you measure the success of your website?
Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure your website’s success, such as website traffic, conversion rates, or user engagement.
What features and functionality do you want to include on the site (e.g., blog, e-commerce, contact forms)?
List the features and functionalities you’d like to include on your website to enhance user experience and achieve your goals. Consider elements like blogs, e-commerce, contact forms, and social media integration.
What type of web design and layout will best represent your brand and serve your audience?
Choose a web design and layout that reflects your brand identity and appeals to your target audience. Prioritize user experience, mobile responsiveness, and visual appeal.
How will you ensure your website is mobile-friendly and accessible to all users?
Create a website that is responsive and accessible on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Implement accessibility features to accommodate users with disabilities.
What content do you need to create, and who will be responsible for creating and updating it?
Outline the content needed for your website, such as text, images, and multimedia. Assign
responsibilities for content creation and updates to ensure your website remains fresh and relevant.
How will you optimize your website for search engines, and what SEO strategies will you implement?
Optimize your website for search engines by performing keyword research, optimizing meta tags, headings, and URLs, and creating high-quality, engaging content. Implement on-page and off-page SEO strategies to improve your website’s visibility.
What digital marketing channels and strategies will you use to drive traffic to your website?
Identify the digital marketing channels and strategies that will help you reach your target audience and drive traffic to your website. Consider options such as social media marketing, email marketing, content marketing, and pay-per-click advertising.
If you’re building an e-commerce website, how will you manage your product inventory, shipping, and payments?
Plan for product inventory management, shipping logistics, and payment processing if you’re building an e-commerce website. Choose a reliable e-commerce platform that provides these functionalities and ensures a smooth shopping experience for your customers.
How will you ensure your website’s security and protect user data?
Implement security measures to protect your website and user data, such as using SSL certificates, keeping software up-to-date, and regularly backing up your website.
What is your plan for website maintenance, updates, and backups?
Create a plan for regular website maintenance, updates, and backups to ensure your site remains secure, functional, and up-to-date with the latest technology and content.
How will you gather user feedback and make improvements to your website over time?
Establish a system for gathering user feedback, such as surveys or feedback forms, and use this information to make ongoing improvements to your website. Regularly assess your website’s performance and make necessary adjustments to better serve your audience.
We hope you found our 20 Questions to Ask Before Building a Website useful
Asking these 20 questions before building a website will help you create a comprehensive plan that addresses your audience’s needs and ensures a successful online presence. Keep in mind the “Serve don’t sell” approach emphasized by Andy Simmons, prioritizing your customers’ needs and solving their problems rather than merely selling your products or services. By focusing on serving your audience, you’ll build a website that stands out and achieves your desired goals.
