Your Website.
Websites are a hybrid of technology and communications. When you choose someone to build your website, make sure they are skilled at both Web technology and effective communication.Your Audience.
Any business communication has to start off with a review of the audience. Are they Consumers? Professionals? Children? Retirees? Why would they come to your website? What technology platform will they be using? Who is your audience? Click here to see a variety of audience profiles.Your Site's Mission.
Next, we work with Clients to define the purpose of the website. What do we want the website audience to do? Generate contacts? Place an order? Call on the phone? Give us their e-mail address?Complete this sentence:
The site will be a success if ______________.
Audience-Focused Communication.
Web communication is different from printed text. Users won't read huge blocks of text; people skim the web. The website must be audience- focused, talking about the things that interest the audience while conveying the intended message. What functions will your audience want from your website?It's a two-way street.
The Web is a two-way street, and your website should facilitate two-way communication. Let the audience ask questions, send e-mail, and tell you what they want.It's a relationship.
Your website can enhance your relationship with your customers. It'll give you a handle on who they are. You can woo them, but you don't want to stalk them.Temptations & Constraints.
There are a lot of cool things you can do on the web, especially if you keep your computer updated with the latest bells and whistles. But you've got to reconcile those capabilities with the reality of your audience.If your audience is using five-year old PC's with dial-up connections , don't build a Shockwave website, because it won't accomplish your business goals. But if your audience is using a corporate high-bandwidth connection with computers less that two years old, then Flash and some of the new tools can be appropriate- if they support the business goal.
Click here for our ideas about a business website for you.
