Introduction
Building a website without proper planning is like constructing a house without blueprints. A well-planned website saves time, reduces frustration, and results in a better final product. This guide will walk you through the essential steps of planning your website before you start building.
What You'll Need
- Pen and paper or digital note-taking tools
- A clear understanding of your website's purpose
- Basic knowledge of your target audience
- 1-2 hours of focused planning time
Step 1: Define Your Website's Purpose
Before you design a single page, you need to clearly define why you're creating this website.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What is the primary goal of my website? (Examples: sell products, share information, build a community, showcase a portfolio)
- What specific actions do I want visitors to take? (Examples: make a purchase, sign up for a newsletter, contact me, download resources)
- How will I measure the success of my website? (Examples: sales numbers, contact form submissions, page views)
Purpose Statement Example
"The primary purpose of my photography website is to showcase my portfolio to potential clients and encourage them to book a session. Success will be measured by the number of inquiry form submissions."
Write down your website's purpose statement and keep it visible throughout the planning and building process. Every decision you make should support this purpose.
Step 2: Identify Your Target Audience
Understanding who will visit your website helps you create content and design that appeals to them.
Consider these factors:
- Demographics: Age, location, occupation, income level
- Interests and needs related to your website's topic
- Technical expertise (Are they comfortable with technology?)
- How they might find your website (search engines, social media, direct referrals)
Target Audience Example
"My photography website targets engaged couples aged 25-35 in the Chicago area with mid-to-high income levels who value quality photography for their wedding. They're moderately tech-savvy and will likely find my site through Instagram or Google searches for 'Chicago wedding photographer'."
Step 3: Plan Your Content Structure
Determine what pages you need and how they'll be organized.
Essential pages most websites need:
- Homepage: Your digital front door that explains what you do and directs visitors
- About: Information about you, your company, or your organization
- Services/Products: Details about what you offer
- Contact: How visitors can reach you
Additional pages to consider:
- Portfolio/Gallery
- Testimonials/Reviews
- Blog/News
- FAQ
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
Creating a Sitemap
A sitemap is a visual representation of your website's structure that shows how pages relate to each other.
- List all pages you plan to include
- Organize them in a hierarchy (main pages and subpages)
- Draw connections between related pages
Example of a basic website sitemap
Step 4: Plan Your Content for Each Page
For each page in your sitemap, outline the content you'll need to create.
For each page, note:
- The main heading and subheadings
- Key points you want to communicate
- Types of content needed (text, images, videos, forms, etc.)
- Calls to action (what you want visitors to do)
Page Content Plan Example: Homepage
- Main Heading: "Capturing Your Perfect Moments | Chicago Wedding Photography"
- Key Points: 10+ years experience, award-winning photos, personalized approach
- Content Needed: Hero image of best wedding photo, 3-4 testimonial quotes, gallery preview with 6 images, introduction paragraph
- Call to Action: "View Portfolio" and "Check Availability" buttons
Step 5: Consider Design and Branding Elements
Even if you're using templates, planning your visual identity helps create a cohesive website.
Design elements to consider:
- Color scheme: Choose 2-3 main colors that reflect your brand
- Typography: Select fonts for headings and body text (limit to 2-3 fonts)
- Logo: Do you have one or need to create one?
- Image style: What type of images will you use? (Photos, illustrations, icons)
- Layout preferences: Do you prefer minimal design, bold visuals, etc.?
Consider creating a simple mood board with examples of websites you like and elements that appeal to you.
Step 6: Plan Technical Requirements
Determine the technical aspects of your website before you start building.
Consider these questions:
- Will you build the site yourself or hire a professional?
- What platform will you use? (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, custom-built, etc.)
- Do you need special features? (E-commerce, member login, booking system)
- What's your budget for hosting, domain name, premium themes, or plugins?
- How will you maintain the site after launch?
Platform Selection Tip
Choose your website platform based on your technical skills, budget, and future needs. WordPress offers the most flexibility but has a steeper learning curve, while website builders like Wix and Squarespace are easier for beginners but may have limitations as your site grows.
Step 7: Create a Timeline and Action Plan
Set realistic deadlines for completing your website.
Break down the project into phases:
- Planning and research (what you're doing now)
- Content creation (writing text, gathering/creating images)
- Design and development (building the actual site)
- Testing and refinement
- Launch and promotion
Assign timeframes to each phase based on your available time and resources.
Website Planning Templates
Use these downloadable templates to help organize your website planning:
Common Website Planning Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the planning phase entirely: This often leads to disorganized websites that need complete redesigns later.
- Starting with design instead of purpose and content: Your website should be designed around your content, not the other way around.
- Adding too many pages or features: Start with the essentials and add more as needed.
- Not considering mobile users: Your website needs to work well on smartphones and tablets.
- Unrealistic timeline expectations: Quality websites take time to plan, build, and refine.