What is the Purpose of my Web Site?

Before you start designing, figure out what the purpose of your web site is going to be. Not all sites are commerce sites. Take Pepsi for example. They don't sell the products online. Their site is purely to set the tone and ambience of the Pepsi company. Their main goal is to spread the Pepsi brand name around.

On the other hand a web page such as etoys has the sole purpose to sell toys. They don't try to set a tone or opinion. Their goal is to get the visitor to buy a toy online.

Some company's web sites are simply, what I like to call, "WHO WE ARE" web site. These have a few pages with the company history, mission, and how to reach them.

Others are, what I like to call, "an online brochure" web site. The company gives you a list of products and description, but no way to order it online.

There are numerous types of web sites. Just make sure when you start that you know what you are designing. After you have decided the purpose of your web page, make sure that others who visit also know what the web page is about. I can't count how many times I have visited a web site and had know idea what the page was about.

You should make your home page very clear. Ask yourself questions like: Do I need a shopping cart? Do I want to educate? Do I want to entertain? Do I need to collect information? Do I need to distribute information? Do I need live interaction? These are hard but important questions to ask before you start your design.

(next subtopic - How big is my site going to be? )

Web site design tips provided by scott@designmore.com visit his site at designmore.com

What's New

Find Out Who is Making Money on the Web!

Features