Creating your first business website is an exciting step toward establishing your online presence and reaching a wider audience.  However, establishing a strong base is crucial prior to starting on the planning and development phase. Here are ten important things you should do before you start making your website:

1. Define Your Goals

Prior to commencing the design and development process of your website, it is necessary to clearly define your objectives. Are you interested in boosting your online sales, generating leads, or building brand credibility? Understanding your objectives will influence the direction and substance of your website.

2. Identify Your Target Audience

Understand who your ideal customers are and tailor your website to meet their needs. Conduct market research to gather insights into their demographics, preferences, and behaviors. This will help you create content and features that resonate with your target audience.

3. Choose the Right Domain Name

Selecting a memorable and relevant domain name is key to your website’s success. Keep it short, easy to spell, and reflective of your brand. Use domain name search tools to check availability and ensure it hasn’t been trademarked by another company.

4. Plan Your Content Strategy

Develop a content strategy that aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your target audience. Determine what type of content you’ll publish, such as blog posts, product pages, or multimedia content. Create a content calendar to stay organized and consistent with your updates.

5. Optimize for SEO

Incorporate search engine optimization (SEO) best practices into your website from the outset. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant terms and phrases for your industry. Optimize your website’s structure, meta tags, and content to improve its visibility in search engine results.

6. Design with User Experience in Mind

Focus on creating a user-friendly website that provides a seamless browsing experience. Choose a clean and intuitive design layout, prioritize mobile responsiveness, and optimize page loading speed. Make it easy for visitors to navigate your site and find the information they need.

7. Gather High-Quality Visual Assets

Invest in professional photography, graphics, and videos to enhance the visual appeal of your website. High-quality visuals can help grab the attention of visitors and communicate your brand message effectively. Ensure that your visual assets align with your brand aesthetic and reinforce your key messaging.

8. Set Up Analytics and Tracking

Implement web analytics tools, such as Google Analytics, to track visitor behavior and measure the performance of your website. Set up conversion tracking to monitor key metrics, such as sales, leads, and sign-ups. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and refine your marketing strategies.

9. Secure Your Website

Protect your website and your customers’ data by implementing robust security measures. Choose a reliable web hosting provider that offers SSL encryption and regular security updates like iManila. Install security plugins and follow best practices for password management to minimize the risk of cyber threats.

10. Create a Launch Plan

Plan a strategic launch for your website to maximize its impact and reach. Develop a marketing plan that includes promotion through social media, email newsletters, and other channels. Consider offering special promotions or incentives to attract visitors to your new site.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be well-prepared to create your first business website with confidence. And when it comes to reliable web hosting and security solutions, consider partnering with iManila. Visit iManila today to learn more about their services and how they can support your online endeavors.

Partner with iManila

With 28 years of experience in the industry and an IT company at its core, iManila, having been one of the first Internet Service Providers in the Philippines, a web development company and a top digital marketing company in the country, is committed to providing our clients with innovative information technology, web, and digital solutions. 

iManila is a top hosting provider in the Philippines, offering reliable web hosting solutions, including shared web hosting, business cloud hosting, and dedicated server hosting to meet your business needs. As a leading web development company, iManila also offers web design and development, website update and maintenance, and technical, desktop, and remote support services. Our expertise extends to mobile applications development specializing in customized web systems catered to diverse industries. As a top digital marketing agency, we also offer a wide range of digital marketing services. Talk to us!