So, you’re thinking about a new website for your organizing business – how exciting! No matter if it’s your very first site or you’ve been online for a while and are ready for a change, whether you’re a do-it-yourself-er or are working with a web professional, you can make the project go more smoothly and increase the ROI of your new site by drawing upon your strong organizing skills.

Planning notebook

Although you may be anxious to get your site up and running, over the years I have learned that taking the time to make a few decisions right from the beginning can save much aggravation later on, and increase the likelihood that your website will help you achieve your business goals. Whether you use a whiteboard, a notebook, a Word document, a spreadsheet, or some other system, the answers to following questions should be planned in writing before the web development process even begins.

Do you already have a domain name?

Choosing a domain name which corresponds to your business name will make it easy for people who already know about your business to locate your website. If your ideal domain name is not available, think hard about what else might be effective. Using hyphens to separate words is one option, but keep in mind that you’ll have to mention those hyphens each and every time you tell someone your website address. Using your full business name might work, but not only is it a mouthful to say, “my website is thebestprofessionalorganizingserviceintheworld.com,” but just try and fit that on your business card!

Do you already have a logo and/or colors to represent your business?

For maximum impact, you will want the design of your website to complement your logo. Even if you don’t have a logo, you should use the same colors on all of your marketing materials to strengthen your brand.

What is the purpose of your website?

Do you simply need a basic brochure-type site you can direct people to when they ask if you have a website they can look at, or are you relying on your website to bring you new business via search engine traffic? Do you plan to sell any products (either your own, or through affiliate programs)?

Who is your target market?

Do you prefer to work with young families? Seniors? Home-based businesses? Non-profit organizations? Corporations? You will need to tailor both the look of your site and your content to appeal to the people you are trying to reach.

Who will write your website content?

You may choose to hire a professional copywriter who will ensure that you have a compelling marketing message that is also search-engine friendly. If you’re comfortable preparing your own copy and your writing skills are good, then go for it! If someone else is creating your website, be sure to ask if they will proofread and edit your work, as many designers do not provide this service. Another option is to choose a web designer with experience in the organizing industry, such as Organized Assistant, who will work with you to make sure that your website represents you and your business effectively.

What type of design appeals to you?

Would you prefer a menu across the top, on the left, or on the right side of the screen? Do you like dropdown menus?

Do you want to include a photo of yourself? Before and after pictures? What about clipart or photos to enhance your text? Where will you get them?

Take some time to study websites that you like, and make note of what it is about them that appeals to you – is it the layout, the colors, the overall feel, or something else? Of course, you don’t want to copy someone else’s site, but being aware of what you like and don’t like will help you (or your web designer) to create the right look for you.

How do you plan to keep your site up-to-date?

If you want to be able to make your own changes in the future, make sure that your web designer is aware of this fact so that he or she uses WordPress or another user-friendly technology. You don’t want to find out after the fact that you’ll need to invest in and learn to use a specific software program if you want to add a new page to your site!

Adding new content on a regular basis will do wonders for your search engine positioning. That’s one of the reasons that blogs are so popular! Even if blogging is not in your immediate plans, WordPress is an excellent Content Management System that will easily allow for the addition of a blog at a later date.

How much can you afford to invest?

Notice I said “invest” and not “spend?” Your website is an investment in your business, and a professional design should not be considered a luxury. That being said, a quality website doesn’t need to cost a fortune. Our WordPress Packages start at $325.00 and include your first six months of web hosting at no additional charge.

The above considerations are even more important if you’re replacing an existing site. If your current website isn’t working well for you, you need to identify how it may be lacking and make sure that your new site addresses those issues.

If a new website is in your future, let’s talk! I’d love to help you make your ideas come to life.