We give a bite-sized overview of key planning questions to ask yourself when tackling a website project, as well as the importance of information architecture.

1. ASHORTGUIDETOWEBSITEPLANNING
ANDINFORMATIONARCHITECTURE

2. THEIMPORTANCEOF PLANNING
By understanding the website’s objectives, you will create a better
experience for users, i.e. new and existing customers.
Defining long and short-term goals keeps your website focused in the right
areas.
Control website cost and build time – release over time to complete quickly
and within budget.

3. 1. KNOWTHYSELF
WHAT DOES YOUR BRAND STAND FOR?
WHAT IS YOUR KEY MESSAGE?
WHAT TYPE OF MARKET DO YOU OPERATE IN?
WHO IS YOUR COMPETITION?
WHAT IS YOUR USP?
Image credit: http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/40213759/

4. 2. UNDERSTANDTARGETUSERS
WHAT IS THEIR GENDER, AGE, PROFESSION, INCOME BRACKET ETC?
WHAT IS THEIR LOCATION, NATIONALITY, CULTURE?
WHAT ARE THEIR INTERESTS AND WHAT DO THEY WANT TO KNOW?
HOW DO THEY WANT TO RECEIVE INFORMATION?
HOW WELL DO THEY INTERACT WITH AND RESPOND TO TECHNOLOGY?

5. 3. THE PLANNINGPROCESS
GATHER CONTENT DURING PLANNING NOT AFTER – THIS HELPS CATEGORISE AND PLAN
PAGE STRUCTURE.
• Write for the web and use words your audience will know and understand
• Choose colours carefully
• Optimise content, images and video
• Keep download sizes as small as possible
• File formats should be accessible to everyone

6. 4. THESITEMAP
A SITE MAP IS A VISUAL OR TEXTUAL MODEL OF A WEBSITE’S CONTENT THAT HELPS USER
NAVIGATE THROUGH THE SITE TO FIND WHAT THEY WANT.
It normally includes:
• User journey
• Types of page
• Navigational groupings
• Secure areas

7. 5. WIREFRAMES
A WIREFRAME SHOULD BE PRODUCED FOR EACH TYPE
OF PAGE, E.G. HOME PAGE, PRODUCT PAGE, BLOG
ARTICLE
• Simple line drawing that shows how the
information planned for each page should
be displayed and organised
• Keeps the site consistent by identifying
common elements
• Foundation of user interface – the graphical
design skins this layout

8. CASESTUDY:KABA
GLOBAL PROVIDER OF INNOVATIVE SECURITY
SOLUTIONS
EXTENSIVE PLANNING PERIOD TO REORGANISE
AND REDESIGN GLOBAL AND COUNTRY WEBSITES
OBJECTIVE WAS TO CREATE A MORE INTERACTIVE
WEBSITE FOR USERS AND A CLEARER PATH TO
INFORMATION
DESIGN WITHIN THE EXISTING BRAND

9. CASESTUDY:KABA

10. CASESTUDY:KABA

11. WANTMORE?
SO, YOU WANT A WEBSITE? A GUIDE TO PLANNING, BUILDING AND TESTING
PART 1: HTTP://BIT.LY/PTIPXY
PART 2: HTTP://BIT.LY/1E5A1BK
PART 3: HTTP://BIT.LY/1E5A1BK
FRIGHTFUL CONTENT: HOW TO SCARE AWAY YOUR AUDIENCE
HTTP://BIT.LY/1HXCRND
5 WEB DESIGN MISTAKES THAT COULD BE HARMING YOUR WEBSITE’S
CONVERSION RATE
HTTP://BIT.LY/1JO53NE

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