Building Websites

5 key steps to success

While each website is unique to your needs and organisation, we follow a tried and tested process to ensure you get the best out of the experience. The 5 steps are outlined here with links to tips and tools to help you out along the way.

STEP 1

Choose a platform

Which platform?

There are plenty of platforms you can build your website on. These range from Wix or Squarespace to more independent platforms such as WordPress. For retail and e-commerce sites, check out Shopify. They all offer great solutions… dependent on your needs. We start here by understanding what your goals are for your website and what functions you will need.

  • Compare platforms for functions

  • Understand the cost / benefits of different platforms

  • Platform independence, is it important?

STEP 2

Content Library

Gather your content and media

Before you start building it is helpful to pull together information you already have about your organisation. Its services, history, customer feedback or reviews, employee headshots, and images that represent your business. Commission a photographer to capture your organisation and what it does. The more text and images you can bring together at this early stage the easier it will be to fill gaps and ensure you are telling a complete story online.

Branding
Images
Copy (Text)

STEP 3

Purpose and Aims

What do you want your website to achieve?

This involves understanding who you customers, what their expectations are and how to meet them. Being clear on what the website needs to achieve for you and your organisation means you don’t waste time or money building something that isn’t ultimately used.

  • Understanding your customer

  • How to set website aims and objectives

  • Ways to measure website success

STEP 4

Build and test

Designing and building your website

Time to build and test. With the information gathered in Step 2 and the purpose and aims outlined in Step 3, the design and content is brought together to create a website that reflects the needs of your organisation. Testing should be undertaken by both people within your organisation and customers if possible.

Design
Build
Test

STEP 5

Promote your Website

Promoting your site

Your website is live! It might feel like a time to sit back and enjoy what you have achieved, but it is just the beginning. Keeping the site updated and being proactive in promoting and sharing your site is key to ensuring it can be found by your customers. Taking proactive steps to be visible to search engines and understanding the basics of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) are important for the long term success of your website.

  • Search engines and SEO

  • Connecting with other platforms including social media

  • Advertising to promote your website