It is commonly agreed that today we are building 4th generation web sites. Today's sites are highly interactive, strong content-managed web sites that are designed to meet the needs of a particularly identified target market.
Eventually, today's sites are made with a particular purpose in mind ; to draw in targeted traffic and to convert those visitors into customers. Perhaps you've heard it revealed 'Nobody buys a drill because they need a drill.
Who are we?
At a very high level, commercial web sites generally fall into one of four primary Site types :

Content / Branding sites
The objective of this type of site is generally to increase readership, level of interest, and brand awareness. Content sites are typically supported by sponsors and advertisements, subscriptions and other premium services. Examples are CNN.com, Consumer Reports, CocaCola.com, Wisdairy.com. The objective of this kind of site is typically to boost sales and decrease selling expenses. Examples of this type of site would be BestBuy.Com, Amazon.Com, AmericanGirl.com
Lead-generation sites
The target for lead generation sites is to extend and segment lead generation. Examples of lead generation sites are ColdwellBanker.com and Business.Com

Customer Service sites
The objective for this kind of site is to extend customer satisfaction and decrease support inquiries or people-powered support services. Examples of customer service sites are UPS.Com, support.dell.com and online banking sites.

*In fact, many sites may fall across some or all these classes, but it is typically clear which is the site type is primary. After we understand our first site type, the site should be developed under that context.
Who is our Audience?
Once we understand our key business objective ( s ) we must come to have a deep appreciation of our ideal shopper profile, their requirements needs and incentives. For example, our primary audience may include Current Customers, Prospects, job hunters and/or stockholders while our secondary audience may include the area people, the press, and employees or business partners.


Now we want to drill farther into understanding our visitors by inspecting their Psychographic profiles which considers stuff like approach to life, angle, convictions, values, personality, motives, wishes desires and expectations.

When we understand'Who', our primary audience types are, we will start to use this info to ask questions such as :

What? Based upon the individual audience profiles, what do we'd like this user to do? Are there key conversions for each user type?

Where? Where can we find this audience? Are there online resources that attract this group? Are there debate forums, blogs or other social networking sites specific to this group? Are there trade periodicals with web sites that may be used to advertise to this group?
How? Are we able to buy, lease or develop e-mail marketing lists for these groups? Can we use search marketing, PPC, associate and banner advertising? What keywords might these groups use to find us online?
Before you begin to design your internet site, take some time to think carefully about these questions. Develop an'Ideal shopper Profile' to be employed in directing your decisions as you build out your website.

Wisconsin Website Design.

About the author

The Author is the CEO of a Wisconsin based Web Desgn and Internet Marketing Company based In Neenah WI.
You can view the company website here:

www.irazorstrategies.com