What is the purpose of my site?

Determine the purpose of your site.

Jot down thoughts on why you want a website. Is it to attract new business or service customers? To share specialized knowledge? To pursue personal interests, or promote a pet viewpoint, project, candidate, etc.? To make a connection with others? To record your personal thoughts?

Define your goals.

How will you define 'success'? Goals are more measurable than purpose and will give you a clearer target. Write out your 'mission statement' in 50 words or less. Until you clearly know your destination, you can't develop a good road map and you'll end up all careening over the place.

Identify your target audience.

Customers, colleagues, friends or co-workers? Are they knowledgeable about my subject or “newbies?” Are they just browsing or coming for something specific, repeat visitors, or one-shot deals? How about their age, culture, level of education, etc.? Also, most importantly: What are their goals in visiting my site? What's In It For Them? Write this answer down.

Decide your level of involvement.

In developing a website (for business, education, or recreation) decide what level of involvement or interaction you want to have with your visitors. Are you simply presenting information? Are you offering a service or product? Are you trying to build a "rapport" (relationship) with potential clients or repeat visitors?

Choose what type of feedback would you like.

Once your site is up and running, establish some sort of feedback system to ensure that you are still meeting the needs of your visitors. This form can be as simple as a visitor comment form. These extra touches can be extremely beneficial in gauging the effectiveness of your website. Unlike a basic email link, a comment form allows you to tailor the information gathered by structuring the questions to your needs.