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If it is important for searchers to find your Web site in the search engines, you must choose the correct Web site structure.
 The search engines must see the content on your site in order to place your pages correctly in their databases.
Do not allow your Web programmer to develop a site in frames. Content in this structure is not visible to the search engines..
Also, be careful with dynamically created pages from a database or a content management system.
If you are building a database driven Web site, ask questions about the SEO-friendliness of the code.
Finally, avoid putting all of your critical content in graphics or flash.
For more information on SEO and Web site design, visit our page on SEO best practices.
Web site development takes a lot of time. Get it right from the start. Avoid the headache and hassle of discovering, you missed an important step after you launch the new web site.
To get it right, create a solid foundation.
If you are redesigning an existing Web site, thoroughly review your Web stats of your current Web site. If you need help, with that we recommend the following:
If have Google Analytics and you are,
an experienced user, we suggest:
Advanced Web Metrics with Google Analytics by Brian Clifton
a beginning user, we suggest:
Google Analytics 3rd Edition by Jerri L Ledford
Use the following steps to develop a Web site that works well for your needs.
Step 1: Determine the Goals of Your Web site
Your objectives could be:
- To generate leads for new business
- To sell a product or service
- To keep existing customers (or members) informed
- To make product information available
- To attract visitors and sell advertising
- To build your brand
Step 2: Define actions do you want people to take when the come to your Web site.
Actions can be:
- Sign-up for an email newsletter
- Request additional information on company services
- Purchase a product
- Become a member
- Download a white paper
- Attend a webinar
- Learn more about your company
Step 3: Define the image you want to convey
Ideally, you already have a brand identity, which you will convey with your Web site. If you need to create a brand, consult with a good local branding agency.
If you do not want to spend time on developing a full branding strategy and just want a logo, we suggest Logoworks.
Their professional logo packages start at a very reasonable price.
Step 4: Conduct Keyword Research and Competitor Research
Why conduct keyword research now? You want to conduct keyword research early because it gives you a window to your target market’s online language. You can see how often people the search on certain phrases. You may find that they do not use the same language as you do.
You can use the best keyword targets to inform how you “chunk your information”. You can decide what sections and pages you should have. In addition, you can tell your coding crew what file names you want them to use. For more information keyword research, see our page on SEO keyword research. Discover all you can about your competitors' online successes. Determine answers to key questions such as:
- What keywords drive the most traffic your competitors’ Web sites?
- How do your competitors rank on important keywords?
- What sites are linking to your competitors' Web sites?
If you need assistance in researching your competitors’ online success, send an email to:
Step 5: Create a Site Map & Wireframes for Your Main Pages
Create an outline of your Web site’s primary, secondary and tertiary sections. Also, ask your design team to create rough design treatments for your home page and rough template designs for the secondary pages and tertiary pages.
Step 6: Write the Content
Writing the content is the hardest and usually the longest task. You should write most of the content before you select your final design. Write first because you will probably decided to add or delete sections as your pull together your content.
If SEO is important to your new Web site, review our SEO best practices pages.
If your site is very complicated you, might want to write the entire site in a wire frame, so that you get a good idea of how it flows before you start coding
Step 7: Select Final Design and Develop the Code
Select the final design and code or have your coding team complete the code in a test directory.
Step 8: Test the Beta Site and Launch the Final Web site
Develop a testing checklist and have people, outside your development team, test your new site. Once your team completes the testing, you are ready to launch the new Web site.
New web site design questionnaire
Web site redesign questionnaire
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