A guide to getting your website project started with ease and efficiency
Launching a new website is an exciting step, but proper preparation can make all the difference between a smooth, cost-effective project and one full of unexpected delays and costs. At dmi27, we’ve seen firsthand how preparation impacts the quality, timeline, and cost of website development. Here’s a guide to what you should prepare before starting your website project.
1. Define Your Target Market
- Why It Matters: Knowing your audience helps shape everything from design to content and functionality. A website aimed at young professionals will look and feel different from one targeting retirees, for example.
- What to Prepare: Identify key details like age, gender, interests, and pain points of your target audience. If possible, gather data from customer surveys, analytics, or competitor research to build a well-rounded picture of your ideal visitor.
2. Clarify Your Website’s Purpose and Goals
- Why It Matters: Understanding the main purpose of your website (e.g., information, e-commerce, lead generation) ensures that the design and features are aligned with your business objectives.
- What to Prepare: Write down the primary goals of the website—whether it’s to generate leads, provide customer support, showcase a portfolio, or sell products. This clarity helps dmi27 build a website that directly supports your business strategy.
3. Content Outline and Structure
- Why It Matters: Good content is essential to engaging visitors and driving conversions. Planning content early also reduces delays.
- What to Prepare: Create a content outline with main pages (like Home, About, Services, Blog, Contact) and any subpages. Note any specific messaging, keywords, or calls to action you’d like to include. If you’re starting from scratch, consider hiring a professional copywriter or asking dmi27 for guidance.
4. Visuals and Branding Elements
- Why It Matters: Consistent visuals and branding make your website recognizable and build trust with visitors.
- What to Prepare: Gather your brand’s logo, color scheme, fonts, and any other visual guidelines. High-quality images or graphics are key; avoid stock images if possible, as they can look generic. If custom visuals are needed, let dmi27 know early on.
5. Product or Service Details (for E-commerce or Service Sites)
- Why It Matters: Specific product or service information allows us to plan effective layouts and functionality, especially if you need e-commerce capabilities.
- What to Prepare: For e-commerce sites, prepare product descriptions, prices, categories, and high-resolution images. If you offer services, define service categories, packages, or subscription options, and consider any specific booking or scheduling tools that may be useful.
6. Essential Services and Integrations
- Why It Matters: Depending on your business needs, certain integrations (e.g., email marketing, CRM, analytics) can streamline your operations and improve customer engagement.
- What to Prepare: Identify services like email newsletters, customer management tools, or analytics that you already use or would like to implement. Having these ready allows dmi27 to integrate these systems seamlessly into your website.
7. SEO and Analytics Basics
- Why It Matters: SEO helps your website be found, and analytics allow you to measure success. Starting with SEO best practices saves time later.
- What to Prepare: Research key SEO terms and phrases for your industry. If possible, prepare some initial keywords and descriptions for each page. Additionally, consider setting up Google Analytics or another analytics platform to track site performance from day one.
How Preparation Makes the Process More Efficient and Cost-Effective
By preparing this information in advance, you’re enabling our team at dmi27 to work efficiently, which translates to cost savings for you. With clear goals, a solid structure, and all necessary resources on hand, we can deliver your website faster and ensure that it perfectly aligns with your business vision. Proper preparation reduces the need for back-and-forth adjustments, minimizes delays, and lets us focus on creating a website that delivers results.
