7 Website Steps To Take BEFORE Building
Been wanting to get started on your business website? Stop! Make sure you’re not missing these crucial steps!
Here are the 7 crucial steps you need to take BEFORE starting to redesign your website, whether it’s e-commerce, blogging, or service-based.
1. Know your business and simplify where possible.
Hone in on your top offerings. Whether they’re one-on-one coaching or your podcast - what’s the top thing you’ll be focusing on as you go into the next phase of your marketing? Write down that top one and add some sub-goals.
2. Know your target market better than they know themselves.
Start getting to know your target market as well as you can. Are you in the beginning phases of your business? Find people who would be dream clients and interview them. Tech makes it so easy nowadays.
3. Know your competition and understand what they’re doing.
Same as your business target market, you’ll want to know who you’re competing against and what they’re doing with their website.
4. Understand your website’s brand voice, feeling and style.
I recommend knowing the feeling and voice way before jumping into your colors and other website styling. Why? You’ll avoid having to redo the website and all your lovely visuals when you realize you had it wrong the whole time.
5. Do some basic keyword research for your website.
Start by seeing what your competition is ranking for. Use free tools like SpyFu or Ubersuggest to take a peek behind their website. Write down the keywords they’re ranking for. To that list, add words or phrases you believe would work. Then, use something like the Keyword Planner in Google Adwords to check in on these terms.
6. Plan out your pages at a high level.
Now, you’ll want to plan out your website pages at a high level. Outline them from most important to least.
7. Choose the right platform.
Before choosing one, think of your answer to these questions:
Will I be DIYing the site?
Will I be the one keeping it backed up and updated?
Do I foresee myself moving my site to a less expensive host?
Do I see myself adding cool features like e-commerce, memberships, and more to the website in the next 3 years?
What’s my budget for the website?
Do I have a fund for a developer when things break down?
