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Are you thinking of designing or renovating a website by yourself or with a designer?  These preliminary questions may help “kick-start” the development process.  You may find some of these questions challenging to answer.  However, I recommend that you persevere because your responses will anchor the development process, which can be both an exciting and chaotic venture until such time all the pieces fall into place…and they will. 

Building a website is much like building a house.  Before you buy the materials or develop a blueprint for a house, you would likely sit down and do alittle digging! The questionnaire is designed to help you identify the functions, style and underlying intentions or purposes before you begin to “build” your website.   Similarly, a website “houses” more than information, rather it reflects the functions, style, visual presentation and underlying intentions or purposes of the information.  Also, when putting thought into designing your house, you will focus on tailoring that house to your specific needs, desires and wants.  And this is where designing a website differs greatly. 

A website must be tailored for the user’s needs.  It is an audience-based communication tool.  What might appeal to you or a small number of users, will not appeal to the majority of users.  Some designers will often overlook this point in an attempt to please the client’s needs.  An effective website must have broad appeal and function for the public’s and/or it’s intended users.  That’s where website usability testing fits in and is another topic for another time.

I submit that by answering these questions, you will reveal the values, goals and objectives for creating a web-presence which will become an invaluable “blueprint” for your website.  Remember, that this questionnaire acts as a “guide” and may reveal more questions or ideas not covered by the questionnaire.  Be sure to write down additional questions or rephrase them, but do not “side step” the original intent of each question.  You will also find that the questions may overlap or appear to be repeated under the headings.  This overlap will reveal the alignments or misalignments embedded in your website, that were not initially apparent to you.  You may not be able or need to complete the entire form, because it may not be relevant to your website concept or you do not know or have the information that you need.  If you are contracting out the website design, please do not hesitate to ask questions. 

As the ideas, purposes, values and functions of your website begin to clarify and take shape, you may need to make adjustments to your initial responses.  Feel free to modify your responses to reflect your needs and vision of the website.  Allow room for your imagination and creativity.  A website should have a good balance of visual and informational content.  A tasteful, well structured and pleasing website goes along way.

The last step is to read your responses thoroughly.  Ask yourself, “Does it reflect your overall website wants, needs and desires?” Then, pass this information on to your website designer or tack it up on the wall for yourself, as a handy reference during the website development.  You will find it an invaluable piece of information as you navigate the waters toward creating a great website!

To complete my 'Website Design and Development tool', please email me for the password.

Cheers!
Marian and Bob Laval