Without proper planning, the web can be a very daunting and expensive experience. Use this checklist to help us understand your needs and expectations of the Internet. This planning effort allows you to save money and be better prepared when you meet with a web designer. The more you know about your small business Internet needs, the more we can help you accomplish your goals.

Below are 10 questions to ask yourself before you establish a presence on the World Wide Web.

1. Is there a particular advantage in having a website or selling my product on the web?
   There should to be. If you cannot see an advantage in having a website, there is no point having one.
2. What makes a successful website?
   Lots of fresh, valuable information and ease of use.
3. Where do I get this ‘fresh, valuable’ information?
   We may be able to help you or offer some suggestions. A small business website should put customers first.
   Think about what customers want: service information, news about your products, pricing and product specifications, and even advice.
4. You can put up all your news releases. Perhaps you have written a technical article for a trade publication or your profession’s scholarly journal list. It could be anything: articles, new products, new services and tips for your clients, etc.
5. I do not have a lot of news and I would not read a scholarly article, let alone write one. How can I make my site worth visiting?
   Some companies put price specials on the web each week. You have to provide a remarkable level of service and support if you are not going to compete on price.
6. The wish list
   Put together a description of what you expect your customers, your employees and you to be able to do using your website. This informal document will be the basis for how we interpret your mission goals. You may find it helpful to review competitor websites and/or similar industry sites to get an idea of how other people are doing it. Some things to include in your wish list:
   
   • colours, logos and photos - list any important colours and gather together digital files, if available, of logos and photographs.
   • likes & dislikes - use your research into other websites to assemble a list of things you liked. Be as specific as possible (ie. I really like images at www.xxxxxxxx.com).
   • user interaction - do you have a certain type of information that has to be relayed to the user? Do you have information you need to collect from the user?
   • e-commerce - do you want to sell something on your site? If so, do you want someone to be able to make a payment over the Internet?
   • brochure or destination? - would you prefer your website act as a brochure that describes your business and changes very little OR would you like it to be a dynamic environment that changes hourly, daily, weekly, etc.?
   • outlines and flowcharts - the most basic layout technique would be to use an outline. Name each page and then write in a description of what you want on that page. Think about headers you would use for each section of your site. Use simple, sketched-out flowcharts to describe the user experience. Get as detailed as you like.
   • BizBlog – As previously mentioned, businesses are starting to use blogs more and more as a tool for interacting with customers and potential customers.
   • CMS - would you like to have a control over your website content?
7. Who will maintain your website?
   A website requires regular attention to remain current with your business and your industry. How do you plan on maintaining your site? We offer a variety of great maintenance packages.
8. How will customers find your website?
   Consider how you expect your customers to find you. Will the majority be known or familiar customers that find your site via your promotional efforts (ie. business cards, letterhead, mailers), or are you expecting the majority to be unknown or new customers that find you via search engines such as Yahoo! or Google? Your response to this question helps shape your online marketing strategy and SEO plans.
9. What are some keywords and phrases you would use to describe your business?
   You need to think not only in terms of your products and services, but also in terms of your audience. The configuration of content on your website, including the use of meta tags, is vital to your placement on search engines. Put yourself in your client's computer chair and think about what you would type into a search engine to find your company.
10. Are you planning to collect clients' email addresses?
    As part of your overall web development plan, consider your interaction with your clients and how you can manage your email opportunities.
11. How will you judge your website performance?
    You are building your site to get people to interact with you financially or for other reasons. In the planning process, consider how you will measure the performance of your investment. We offer a variety of services to track, improve and actively promote your website performance. Contact us for details.