The first website was published on August 6, 1991 by a 36-year-old physicist in the Swiss Alps. Since then, websites have changed considerably – thanks to major advances in technology and valuable lessons society has learned since that first site.
In the beginning companies wanted a website because the internet was new and exciting. Then it became essential to have a company site because “everyone had one.” Back then, it didn’t matter what your website looked like or whether or not it served a purpose. The main thing was simply to have a website.
Today, the marketing game as it relates to websites continues to evolve. Fancy and colorful websites that are cluttered or hard to navigate aren’t necessarily functional. Just having a website presence isn’t enough. As the internet continues to grow more complex, so do consumers.
That’s why the first question we ask our clients is “what is the purpose of your website?”
This question may seem simple, but it requires a great deal of thought. Do you want to drive visits to a brick and mortar storefront? Will you sell products or services online? Is the website meant to be informational only? It’s necessary to think about your business needs.
Identifying the reason behind your website will help dictate how the site should look along with the functionality. Sites can have multiple purposes. If that’s the case, then those purposes need to be prioritized so that the content and design can follow. Keeping the purpose(s) of your site in mind will help during the building process and will allow your organization to better reach and engage your target audience.
