9 STEPS TO FOLLOWNEED A WEBSITE DESIGN?

1. DEVELOP A BUDGET

BUDGET

HOW MUCH CAN YOU SPEND?

This will dictate what type of website you can create.

And who you hire to create it.

Depending on their complexity, non eCommerce custom WordPress sites can cost less than $10,000.

Recommend the WordPress platform because it’s easy to use and update.

2, PUT TOGETHER A TEAM

TEAM

WHO DO YOU INCLUDE?

A marketing expert, writer, web designer, programmer, and others in your organization who can provide meaningful input and feedback.

If you’re a small company or independent consultant, you may have to hire someone to put together the team and manage the project.

3. DO A CONTENT AUDIT

CONTENT AUDIT

WHAT DO YOU KEEP?

Have the marketing expert or writer look at every page on your website and do a fresh evaluation of whether the content is still useful and relevant to your target audience.

That person should develop a Content Outline, which you give to the web designer.

4. DEVELOP A CREATIVE BRIEF

CREATIVE BRIEF

WHAT’S IT GONNA LOOK LIKE?

The Creative Brief is the roadmap that the web designer uses to create the design concept for your new website.

Have the marketing expert on your team fill it out and ask all the team members to review and comment before giving it to the web designer.

Most important part of the Creative Brief? A list of websites you like and why you like them.

5. REVIEW & REFINE DESIGN CONCEPTS

REVIEW & REFINE

WHICH ONE IS THE WINNER?

After your web designer has developed 2-3 design concepts, your team reviews and discusses which ones most resonate.

Sometimes there’s not a clear winner and it’s back to the drawing board.

Usually there is one that can be tweaked and taken to the next level.

6. WRITE & EDIT CONTENT

CONTENT

WHEN CAN YOU START WRITING?

Based on the Content Outline, this can actually be done while the design concepts are being reviewed and refined.

Keep copy short and tight.

Give it a voice that reflects your company or organization.

7. APPROVE THE DESIGN CONCEPT & CONTENT

DESIGN CONCEPT & CONTENT APPROVAL

IS FINAL EVER REALLY FINAL?

Your team should sign off on the design concept. Give them the chance to offer feedback on the content, too.

Present to the board or other committees only after the team has fully vetted it. Based on their reaction, more tweaks may be needed.

8. BUILD & TEST THE SITE

BUILD & TEST

HOW LONG WILL THIS TAKE?

The web designer and programmer do the bulk of this work.

Your team periodically reviews pages or addresses issues that arise.

Depending on the complexity of the site, this could take 2-4 months.

9. LAUNCH & PROMOTE THE SITE

LAUNCH & PROMOTE

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

Launching is as easy as pressing the “Go” button.

But you have to be ready to promote it.

Have email campaigns and social media shares ready to go. Talking points. Presentations. Blog posts. Get employees and partners to share on their social networks.

DO YOU NEED A NEW BRAND IDENTITY OR MARKETING PLAN?

DON’T TACKLE A WEBSITE REDESIGN UNTIL YOU GET THOSE DUCKS IN ORDER.

(6-8 months)

sara@saramarberry.com

linkedin.com/in/saramarberry

slideshare.net/saramarberry

Want to know more?

Contact me.