Am I Ready for a Website?Am I Ready for a Website?Wordpress makes it easy but it doesn’t mean you’re ready.

I’m finding more clients coming to me and they aren’t ready.

Here are some ideas about what you need to collect before installing Wordpress or contacting a web developer.

These are also good review points if your site is already in progress.

A lot of this came from Atlanta Wordcamp (Thanks Randy for suggesting it.)

I have a great idea I have a great idea for a novel!for a novel!

I think I better put it up on Amazon so that I can start selling it!

Your business has a storyYour business has a storyWhat are you selling?What are you really selling?What will your customers buy?What are they really buying?

No Sh!t! Wow!No Sh!t! Wow!Is that what people say?They should!The idea has to be so powerful it

wows them.Friends, family and strangers will

be polite“That’s Nice,” won’t make a lot of

money.

Tell your storyTell your storyElevator speechSales pitchFeatures and benefitsDifferentiators from competitionKnow thyself!

Tools to tell the story…Tools to tell the story…Gather them togetherGather them togetherText

◦Benefits◦History◦Vision◦Key Players◦Testimonials

Tools Tools (con’t)(con’t)

Graphics◦Logo◦Product shots◦Product in use shots◦How-to graphics◦Key players’ photos

Tools Tools (con’t)(con’t)

Corporate Culture◦Formal business◦Young start-up◦Rebellious◦Artsy◦Casual/Laidback

Green-Mellon Web ProcessGreen-Mellon Web ProcessTwelve steps to go from web idea

to web site.You don’t need Wordpress until

step seven!GreenMellonMedia.comAllThingsWordpress.com

1. Discovery1. Discovery

GoalsMeasuresAudienceCompetitionFeatures

2. Define the Project2. Define the ProjectScopeBudgetDeliverables

3. Collect Assets3. Collect AssetsInspirationBrand filesHosting

4. Build Site Map4. Build Site MapStructureNavigationPage CountFlowKeyword research(Slick Plan)

5. Content5. Content(Biggest Bottle neck)KeywordsCopyImagesVideo

6. Architecture/Wireframe6. Architecture/WireframeDesign overall layout via

wireframes, mockups dummy design.

Mainly looking for effective layout of home page and secondary pages.

Don’t forget call to action!

7. Design7. DesignAdd color and graphics to the

wireframe/mockup.Remember the culture of the

business and don’t mis-represent it.

Wordpress???

8. Develop8. DevelopBegin programming the site and

make the functionality happen.Flesh out the site for the first

draft.You’re still off stage at this point.Start Google Analytics to build

some equity.

9. Staging and Review9. Staging and ReviewUser testing and bug zappingUltimate Coming Soon plugin

10. Launch10. LaunchUnveil the site for the world to

seeAtlanta Meetup Launch Reviewhttp://www.slideshare.net/mickm

el/december-2014-the-best-tips-to-remember-when-launching-your-site?ref=http://www.greenmellenmedia.com/best-tips-remember-launching-site/

11. Educate and Train11. Educate and Train

12. Improve12. ImproveBack upAdd contentWatch backlinksMonitor performanceUpdate themes and plugins

The preparation makes The preparation makes the sitethe siteMost effective leaders have a set

morning planning routine.This process helps you be

successful.Starting a website without this will

not produce your best product.Hiring someone without this is a

waste of money.If you’re hiring be sure to clarify the

scope of work.

When can you get away When can you get away without this?without this?Landing page only (sort of.)Don’t care about the image your

projecting.You have lots of money to pay

developer.You have lots of time to regularly

re-do your site.You’re a masochist (you just

enjoy pain.)

Now you’re ready!Start the process and have fun

discovering why you’re doing what you’re doing.

If you’ve already started, go back and fill in the pieces you haven’t done.

If you find you’re off track then adjust.

Make your site the best it can be!

Questions?Oh yeah!Thanks!