Defining Your Web Site Audience

The first question you need to ask yourself before developing your Web site is, 'For whom is this Web site?'

If you're not sure whether it's for your customers or your CEO, ask, 'Who primarily will be using this site?' Chances are, your CEO will bow out and claim that he may head to the company's intranet to view happening within the organization, but rarely will he move out to the public site to read.

Your Web site is an online manifestation of your organization and must speak to your customers; it isn't developed through charms and alchemy.

Understanding the call-to-action that your site should provide is imperative to the success of your business. Additionally, the needs of the user should be understood before the site is developed. Is it a news site? Is it an entertainment site? Do you want your customers to reach you for additional products or services?

Perhaps you think you'd like to involve several of the objectives above. Confusing priorities and providing irrelevant information will only overwhelm your customer, causing them to click out of your site and into another.

Design Thought Strategy The bottom-line goal of your Web site should be effortless to your customers. If you don't believe your customers are getting the best experience from your Web site, contact Lisa or Andrew for assistance.