Once you've planned your site using our 10 Step Website Planning Guide, you can use this Website Design Checklist to help you gather your content and focus your design ideas. If you feel that you need help with your Website Design Checklist, contact your website designer or our friendly and experienced support team.
Start Brainstorming
Gather your best brainstormers and/or those who will be making decisions on the design, look and content of the website and get their input. (It's best to have their input now instead of a month from now at your site launching party!)
To get the juices flowing, check out competitor or similar websites and identify what you like and don't like about them in the way of design, colours, graphics, content and navigation. This is an important step as the information gathered will help your website designer to put together your initial concepts.
Be prepared to answer the question; "Why do you like the colors, graphics, content and navigation of the websites chosen."
Define the Mood and Feel of Your Website
Do you want the "mood" of your website to be fun, classy, suit and tie, simple and clean or flashy?
Consider your current print, marketing materials or any existing branding.
How will your website continue to reflect your desired company image?
Think about Layout & Navigation
Consider your website from the perspective of your audience; not your organisation or personal likes and disslikes.
How will visitors to your website want to explore your content? Will they want to see a list of services, a catalog of products, see examples of your work, or get a quote?
How do you want your customers to contact you? Email, online contact form, phone or facsimile?
Grab Them on the Home Page
What are the top 5 questions people ask you about your products or services? The answers to those questions should be on your website and easily accessible on or from your home page.
Write a short paragraph or bulleted list that emphasizes your "unique concept or benefit" that makes buying or using your products or services a must. Will your motto work well on the website?
Consider Colours & Graphics
Simple colour schemes and fewer graphical elements are easier to read.
We can repeat your printed material's look throughout your website or come up with a colour scheme for you.
We can use your existing logo or create one for you.
Keep in mind that more graphics and photos increase load time.
Define Work Process & Schedule
What is the best way for us to keep in contact?
How should we collect website materials?
What is your target date for completion?
Additional Considerations for Shopping Cart Websites:
How many products do you want to sell online?
Can the products be grouped into logical categories?
Do you have product descriptions and photos?
What kind of order method do you need?
Browse catalog to order
Type in product id numbers to order
Select multiple items from one page to order
Will there be quantity pricing or bulk items?
Will you be selling to both retail and wholesale customers?
What will your shipping charges or special order considerations be?
Additional Considerations for Content Management Websites
Define what type and how much content you want to manage. Will it be lists, newsletters, articles or a calendar?
If you update a piece of content, say an event calendar, at least once a month, it's a good candidate for inclusion.
Consider who will be managing the content or if you will give the data to us to update your website.
For assistance in planning your website or for more information on a package that suits your needs, please call us on (03) 9017 0597 or complete our quick contact form.