2. Understand the importance of knowing your web site's purpose.

When establishing an online presence, communicate clearly what is it you are trying to achieve.

A website with a well defined purpose stands out and a visitor will instantly recognise it without effort.

Some types of businesses will only ever need a small, simple website with basic info, contact details and little more.

These businesses do not find the internet imperative to their survival and do not need extensive functionality or a flashy web presence to keep customers satisfied. Their customers are happy with the service and any internet gain is minimal to the overall success of the business. Keep It Simple Stupid is their catch cry and it works for them. A simple, reasonably low cost site with information and contact details clearly set out is the most effective approach.

Other types of businesses, small, medium or large, can utilise the internet to a greater degree.

Many of these business websites will be dynamic (database driven) to provide interactivity for website visitors. What you need will depend on not only the type of business, but the vision of those whom run the business. Technology is constanlty evolving with the needs of business, take advantage of new technologies when they are seen to be reliable and have proven results.

Defining Goals

Immediate Goals - What are the immediate goals of the website?

Increase your business profile? Promote a new product - for the upcoming holiday? Extend customer service?


Long Term Goals - What are the long term goals of the website?

Increase sales for the year? Achieve a marketing plan?

Other Goals might be to:

• inform people about yourself
• provide a service
• sell a product
• create a forum that addresses a certain issue
• share opinions on a subject
• deliver news on a particular subject
• build revenue for your new/existing business
• share business or educational information
• share personal interests with family and friends