I need a site ...

The Internet can be a confusing place. Creating a site on the other hand needn't be confusing at all with clear insight and a tiny bit of knowledge.

To help you with this process, we have compiled a simple checklist. Follow this and you will be well prepared.

Choose a name: more specifically, choose a domain name. This is the name by which your site can be found on typing it into the address box of a browser.

You may find that you favourite choice is taken but there are many options and remember, your site needn't necessarily be served by just one name.

The only important bit is the name is as short and simple as possible so that potential viewer's can remember it easily and with no errors.
Choose the purpose of your site: your site needs a purpose and once this purpose is decided, choosing your content is a lot easier.

Typical purposes are to create a 'brochure' site, an ecommerce site or an information portal.

It is also very useful to look a little deeper into your purpose than just deciding you need an online brochure. Most business sell a host of services and products. Deciding how you want to present this online (just like print) can save a lot of time later on.
Choose your content: the best sites are always clear, easy to understand and have their purpose stamped all over them. Your content therefore should be geared to getting your message across according to the purpose of your site.

If you have researched web sites, you have probably read a lot about search engine optimisation and site content. It is true that content designed from the beginning to be search engine friendly can help but there are many other factors so best to start at the beginning and visit SEO later.

There are a few do's.

- Do include your contact details
- Do be concise
- Do describe your business/products with care as the internet is as much a reference as a selling and marketing medium
Choose your site design: unless you are a design professional it is often best to look at other sites in your business category and score them as to how successful you think they are in getting over their purpose. This will give you a 'ball park' to aim for and you can then find sites you like the design of but aren't necessarily in your business category. Doing this will help designing your site greatly.

A good rule of thumb for site design is to keep it uncluttered and keep it consistently branded throughout.

One point to remember is that any site design needs to reflect the business you are in. Creating a beautiful Hollywood film site when you are a second-hand car salesman will probably confuse your clients into thinking something other than cheap but reliable motors. Think of images that appear in your business all the time. Keeping with cars, a tyre print instantly sets the scene for a tyre fitting garage. Such visual 'cliches' are simple and yet very effective at getting your purpose across.
Choose your keywords and Phrases: now comes the part where search engine optimisation raises its head. Having choosen your purpose, content and design you should combine these with keywords that describe your services/products appropriately.

Search engines rank pages according to the relevance of the content that they display. Choosing your keywords and phrases well can help vastly in succeeding with the search engines. Remember though, that search engines are an ever-changing 'landscape'.

The best approach is to try out your new keywords and phrases in certain search engines and see what results you get. The sites that appear will most probably be your competitors which will give you another good measure for your site design and content.

Most often your keywords and phrases will be used on your home page but other pages can benefit.