Getting a new website is exciting. There’s something particularly satisfying about starting with a blank page and imagining what your new online presence could look like. It’s also very easy to get carried away.
Before you start collecting screenshots of websites you like, making lists of features you think you need, or telling your web designer that you definitely want that clever animation you saw somewhere, it’s worth taking a step back.
A good website wish list isn’t just about what you want your website to look like. It should consider what you need it to do.
Some things to consider (that as a web Designer, I think about a lot):
1. What Is Your Website Actually For?
This sounds obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook. Are you trying to generate enquiries? Sell products? Encourage bookings? Establish credibility? Provide information to existing customers?
Your website needs a clear purpose. Once you know what that is, many of the other decisions become considerably easier.
2. Who Are You Trying To Reach?
Your website isn’t really for you. It’s for the people you want to attract. Think about what they need to know, what questions they might have, and what might stop them from getting in touch or making a purchase.
A beautiful website that doesn’t communicate with your intended audience isn’t doing its job.
3. What Content Do You Already Have?
Before assuming you’ll need hundreds of new pages, look at what you’ve already got. You may have useful existing content, photographs, testimonials, FAQs or blog posts that can be developed rather than discarded.
Equally, you may discover that some of your current content is outdated or no longer reflects your business.
4. What Features Do You Actually Need?
This is where wish lists can become rather enthusiastic. Bookings, memberships, online shops, forms, galleries, customer accounts and integrations can all be useful. But every additional feature adds complexity.
Ask yourself whether a feature solves a genuine problem for your customers or whether you simply like the idea of having it.
5. Don’t Forget Mobile
Your website needs to work properly on phones and tablets, not simply look good on your desktop computer. Responsive design should be part of the brief from the beginning, rather than something checked at the end.
6. Think About Accessibility
Accessibility isn’t a luxury or an optional extra. Consider readable typography, colour contrast, keyboard navigation, alternative text for images and clear, understandable content.
A website should be usable by as many people as reasonably possible.
7. Consider SEO From The Start
Don’t wait until the website is finished before thinking about search engines. Your site structure, navigation, page hierarchy, content and technical foundations can all affect SEO.
You don’t need to understand every aspect of SEO yourself. That’s what your web professional (me) is there for. But it should absolutely be part of the conversation.
8. Think About Maintenance
Who will update the website? Who will add new content? Keep WordPress, plugins or other software updated? Check that forms are still working?
A website isn’t finished when it launches, so your wish list should include what happens afterwards.
9. Be Realistic About Your Budget
It’s perfectly reasonable to have a budget. It’s also important to understand what that budget needs to cover. A website isn’t just a collection of pretty pages. You’re paying for planning, design, development, content, testing, technical knowledge and experience. And you must factor in website hosting too.
Be clear about your priorities rather than trying to squeeze everything into the lowest possible budget.
10. Bring Your Ideas, Not Someone Else’s Website
Finally, collect inspiration – but don’t try to recreate somebody else’s website piece by piece. Your business, customers and goals are unique.
A good designer should be able to take what you like about other websites and translate those ideas into something appropriate for your own business.
The Best Wishlist Starts With Questions
Your website wish list shouldn’t simply say, “I want this, this and this.” It should explain what you want your website to achieve.
The more clearly you can communicate your goals, audience, content and priorities, the more useful your wish list becomes – and the more likely you are to end up with a website that genuinely works for your business.
The prettiest website isn’t necessarily the best one. The best website is the one that does what you need it to do.
If you want a new website, built with care and precision, contact me today!
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