Website Design Considerations

Purpose

What should the website do? It might entertain, sell, inform, report, keep records, impress clients, recruit members, gain customers or provide services. Each of these should help dictate the design process. Once you've determined your goals for your site it should be easy to decide what type of design, what level of quality and how much you're willing to spend on the project.

Audience

Decisions based on audience will affect many aspects of the design as well. Is the visitor an existing client or someone who's never heard of your organization? Always consider this: will they be using a Mac, PC, or high-end workstation? High-speed connection or modem access to the internet? Also consider age, activity level, professionalism, and common interests among the majority of your perceived readers.

The Competition

What other sites are doing can help decide your quality level, and perhaps the breadth and depth of material presented. You can either run with the pack so as not to be too far off-base from the other guys, or you can set the pace, doing new and innovative things to set yourself apart. Look for a singular style that doesn't alienate, yet provides the basic services you need to support.

Copy/Text

Decide how to reach your goals through a combination of words, images, sounds, etc. in your pages. Don't forget that people have different ways of needing to find the same information. Consider multiple views into the same material to account for this. Good writing and good illustration are critical to conveying your message and to keep the audience returning to your site.

The Look and Feel

Text may deliver information, but design keeps users coming back. The concept of your organization should also affect your design. Are you perceived as dignified and formal or casual and informal? Is your organization seen as stable and reliable, or innovative and dynamic? If you are selling something, does the site look like a place where you'd buy?