When building a website you cannot simply hand it off to a design company and say “here, I want a new website with flash, lots of pictures, and I want it to be interactive.” It is not a set and forget situation. Designing a new website requires constant contact with key decision makers to make sure things like visual design and text placement align with the organizations vision. Below I have put together a list of some of the things you can do to make both your web designers and your ownlives easier.

1. Review other websites. These can be categorized as websites you like from any perspective or any other sites that interest you and that you think are relevant and compelling for your audience. Isolate items that you like and don’t like and make a detailed list.
2. Construct a high-level simple organizational chart for User Experience reference.
3. Ask yourself what is it that you want to accomplish with your website? Write the answer down on paper.
4. Answer the questions: “Who are we and why are we here?” with a tagline or focused imagery. This will be a huge help when it comes time for logo design.
5. Know your audience. Understanding your audience is important in knowing how to effectively communicate with them. Determine 4‐5 audience types that your organization caters to and for each audience, make sure there is at least one area on the homepage they can identify with and would want to read.
6. Get to know your visitors. Collecting visitor information is essential when it comes to building relationships, but visitors are less likely to provide information without an incentive. Identify areas on your homepage where visitors can provide their contact information either directly on the page or within one click. What are the benefits you offer them for providing their information? What kinds of opportunities might you be missing?
7. Make sure the site is navigation friendly. A visitor interacts with your website through your navigation. Providing options for visitors is encouraged, but presenting too many options can become overwhelming. To enhance your navigation, consider these best practices:
   1. For a positive user experience, your navigation should be:
      i. Intuitive
      ii. Clea
      iii. Consisten
      iv. Visually separated from content
      v. Clearly define/support user pathway
   2. You should consider the following types of navigation on your website:
      i. Topical / Informational
      ii. Action‐oriented
      iii. Utility
      iv. Footer
   3. Give visitors fewer, more straightforward options so it’s easier for them to make a decision. Limit Global Navigation to 5‐6 options.

Building a website is time consuming on both ends and you must be able to put in the time required otherwise you are simply slowing yourself down. Hopefully the tips above will help steer you in the proper direction so that your relationship with your web designer may be less stressful in the future.

If you have any suggestions or tips that I may have missed please let me, and everyone else, know by commenting below.

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