Must-Ask Questions When Taking on a Web Development Project
When we’re approached about beginning a new Web presence, e-commerce system, or online application, there are some questions to ask before building a website. This not only stirs up ideas to begin the process, but it also allows all parties to explore what the process of Web development entails fully.
It is very important to ask the right questions because the success of the new website depends on them. Convertica.org can make the whole process very easy and accessible for each and every one. You just have to follow some easy rules and your revenue will keep increasing from month to month. Here they are – questions to ask when building a new website.
What are three words you would use to describe y our business regarding focus, pace, and culture?
Frequently, the description of your business is identical to your Web site. If your business focus is technology, customer relations, politics, or health, your website should have a similar feel. Are your pace dynamic and fast-moving (like online service or new product) or conservative and rock-solid (like a bank or a law firm)? Your business’s culture (fun, friendly, approachable, professional, formal, methodical, meticulous) should also be represented in your website design.
What are the general purposes of your Website?
Web design brief questions should include questions about a primary and secondary purpose (and sometimes even a tertiary one). Objects could be to increase sales and awareness, to assist in the distribution of products or services, informational, educational, eCommerce, subscription-based marketing, customer feedback, ISO or employee intranet, employment postings, product support, entertainment, or forums.
Will this site be part of an existing marketing strategy?
Top questions to ask before building a website: Does your business already have a marketing strategy in place with the previously printed collateral material, websites, or advertising campaigns? If it does, please send samples of these pieces to assist in ensuring the site works within the framework of your existing strategy.
If it doesn`t, or if you`d like to deviate from your current plan, can you provide a description and examples of concepts for a new strategy? Would you be interested in working with era//404 to develop this new cross-media campaign?
- Yes, this site is part of an existing strategy.
- No, this site varies from our existing strategy.
- We currently do not have a strategy.
- We’re developing a strategy in-house and will provide samples and a description.
- We’re interested in working with era//404 to develop a cross-media strategy.
What reactions (calls-to-action) are you hoping to achieve with this new Web site?
While this question hinges on #2 (general purpose), it`s essential to outline your customer’s reaction to determine if the site is successful. If the site is information-based, this can be monitored with statistics.
Other results could be: customer contact, online sales, forum/chat participation, increased customer retention, decreased phone, fax or email support calls, the growth of marketing opportunities (mailing lists, newsletters, event participation, and RSVPs), etc.
How do you plan on maintaining your site?
era//404 provides a number of maintenance opportunities including an online content management system (CMS), maintenance contracts and on-site/telephone tutorials for manual site updates. If you plan on updating your site at regular intervals, which opportunities interest you?
Competition: Do you have direct competition?
Providing era//404 with links to competition sites enables us to gauge what your competition is doing, how they’ve been successful, how they’ve failed, and what makes your business different. Please list some links to competitor sites.
How are you different from the competition?
If you have direct competition, please list why your business is different and what you do that makes your business unique. What do you do that is different from these other businesses?
Which existing site designs appeal to you?
Existing site designs do not have to be competition, nor do they have to even be in the same industry. List some sites that you feel satisfy your general purpose and embrace your company’s focus, pace, and culture.
Aside from your calls to action, what are your short-term and long-term goals for this site?
Do you expect this site to grow, to have new sections, to have new features? Will this site work in tandem with other sites that your business may have? Do you expect changes in offerings, strategy or functionality? While era//404 designs all websites to be flexible. We believe pre-planning and preparation can assist in ensuring your site is cost-effective and successful at attaining short- and long-term goals.
What additional materials do you have to help us in providing you with an estimate and timeline?
Before beginning design and development, era//404 provides site Mechanicals (wireframes) and Information Architectures (IAs) to describe site layout, pages, and functionality. Do these materials already exist? Can you provide us with sample page content, photography, identity pieces, and artwork? What is your estimated budget and site launch target?
[ ] Mechanicals
[ ] Information Architecture
[ ] Design Storyboards (GUIs)
[ ] Digital Content
[ ] Digital Identity
[ ] Artwork/Photography*
[ ] Budget: _________________
[ ] Launch Target: __________
[ ] Copywriter*
* If you do not currently have a copywriter or photographer, would you be interested in working with era//404 to provide these services?
