One of the first steps is to examine your motives for publishing on the web. Are you simply trying to publicize your business? Perhaps you want to earn residual income through on-site advertising? Or perhaps you want to extend the reach of your bricks-and-mortar storefront.
There are a number of functions that websites can serve. They can be used to:
- Present an organization.
- Sell a product or service.
- Educate.
- Gather information.
- Collaborate with others, regardless of proximity.
- Entertain.
These functions will determine what type of site you need:
- Brochure websites. These are usually small sites, with a minimal number of pages. Generally these are graphic-heavy, carrying a strong visual identity throughout. Most pages are simple text, and there is usually a form for submitting inquiries.
- eCommerce websites. One of the most powerful uses for the internet, eCommerce sites allow you to sell to customers all over the world, with no limit to your shelf space.
- Educational websites. These are usually very text-heavy sites, with minimal graphics (keeping the emphasis on the content and improving load time). Depending on the amount of material, these sites can have numerous navigation levels, challenging designers to keep the interface uncluttered, yet remain intuitive to the user.
- Online applications. With the host of technologies available today, websites can take almost any process and make it more efficient. Applications can be built to collaborate, gather, manage and store data, and serve it up almost immediately upon request. While website applications require more of an investment, they can often add enormous value to your organization, speed up your return on investment, and improve efficiencies enough to more than pay for development.
- Entertainment websites. Often the most visually appealing, entertainment websites are heavy on the bells and whistles. These sites usually employ the latest technologies and design techniques, creating a user experience that keeps them coming back for more.
