Content First Then Design
In the day-to-day running of a business, creating a company website often takes a backseat. You know it’s important, but finding the time to focus on it feels like an uphill battle. Imagine you’re opening a new branch for your coffee shop. You wouldn’t start by designing the storefront without knowing what beverages you’ll serve, right? It’s the same with your website. Before deciding on the design, it is important to create your content first.
Content First, Design Next - Why it Matters:
- Clear Direction: Your content sets the tone for your website. It tells visitors who you are, what you offer, and why they should care. Without this clarity, your website is just an empty storefront, leaving potential customers confused and uninterested.
- Design Tailored to Content: Think of your content as the blueprint for your website’s design. Just as an architect wouldn’t build a house without a plan, a web designer shouldn’t craft your site without knowing the content it will showcase. Starting with content ensures your design complements and enhances your message, rather than trying to fit content into a pre-made template.
- SEO Power: Search engines love fresh, relevant content. When you prioritize content creation, it not only engages visitors but also increases your website’s visibility in search results. This leads to more traffic, more leads, and ultimately more sales.
So, How Do You Get Started? Simple:
Identify Your Message:
Define your brand identity, key offerings, and target audience. What makes your business unique? What problems do you solve for your customers? Knowing this will guide your content creation process.
Craft Compelling Content
Write clear, concise content that speaks directly to your audience's needs and desires. Use active voice to grab attention and keep things moving. Remember, you're not writing a novel—get straight to the point.
Map Out Your Site Structure
Determine the pages you'll need based on your content. For example, this could include a homepage, about us, services, testimonials, and a contact page. Organize them logically to guide visitors through their journey on your site.
By prioritizing content before design, you're setting your website up for success. So, before you dive into the world of web design, take a step back and focus on what truly matters: your message. Your time is valuable, and by investing it wisely upfront will yield long-term rewards.