Here are some quick and useful items to consider when putting together your action plan.

Know your goal.

Is your site strictly informational or do you have another specific goal in mind? This includes getting a potential client’s email, selling product, or having them contact you / request a quote. Are you trying to cater to existing clientele or penetrate into a new demographic?

Know your market.

Does your business appeal to a wide variety of people, or a niche? What kind of imagery will generate the best response? What is their impetus to purchase your product or service?
The more you define your target audience, the easier it will be to design and write for them. Also, you’ll understand what items to include on your site and what not to; for example, do you really need that 20 second Flash introduction?

Know your product/service.

This seems like a no-brainer, but there is a lot more thought involved than you would think. Sure, your widget 2.0 is oh-so-cool and innovative in your mind, but what’s the benefit to the customer? How is your site going to convey it in a compelling and concise manner? Most people already have what they need and much of what they want – so how are you going to convince them otherwise. Slick graphics are nice, mainly when content and the customer are king.

Know your budget and time line.

Chances are you will be talking to at least a few design houses or freelancers. Having a definitive idea of what you want to spend and when you would like the project accomplished will help both you and your designer be realistic when it comes to setting milestones and items to include on the site. If you can’t afford it now, be it money or time, there is always “Phase II”.

Lastly, the more you plan ahead, the easier it will be to measure the success of your site, or at least know which metrics to use in general. There are quite a few other items for consideration when planning your business’ site. A good agency or designer will work through your draft and often brainstorm additional ideas with you. After all, a successful site is one that is constantly a work in progress.

The Canadian Office and Professional Employees Union is a Canadian labour union representing approximately 35,000 workers, in both the private and public sectors, in 44 locals across Canada. Simalam Media created a web and mobile design that includes a blog for their staff. Visit the site.

Thank you to those at the Canadian Liver Foundation for continuing to inspire, support and educate.

Note: We are now accepting applicatons for our 2012 project. Please contact us by October 31, 2011.

You wouldn’t believe how often we hear that. Simalam Media isn’t so much a tangible object (although if it were, it’d still be awesome), as it is the name given to a concept.

Nestled in London, Ontario, we started the way most successful web and graphic design firms start – in a small space that lodged many great ideas. Since 2006 we’ve helped over 100 small businesses change the way they look at the investment that is their web and print marketing. That seems like a lot to most, but we’ve merely scratched the surface.

The concept is simple – businesses have goals (making money being an important one) and each website, pocket folder or advertisement produced should help the business move toward achieving those goals. The key success factors for industries will vary, but the principles of implementing superb marketing, providing unparalleled customer service and producing exceptional creative remain the same – design with a goal in mind, attract your customer’s attention and exceed their expectations.

Our clients vary in size and range from local London and Toronto small businesses to corporations that operate on a national (and sometimes international) scale. What do they have in common? After working with Simalam, they all had web and print materials that resonated with their target customer. That’s what we call the Simalam Advantage.

Here are some quick and useful items to consider when putting together your action plan – yes, you should absolutely write this down!

Know your goal.

Is your site strictly informational or do you have another specific goal in mind? This includes getting a potential client’s email, selling product, or having them contact you / request a quote.  Are you trying to cater to existing clientele or penetrate into a new demographic?

Know your market.

Does your business appeal to a wide variety of people, or a niche? What kind of imagery will generate the best response? What is their impetus to purchase your product or service?

The more you define your target audience, the easier it will be to design and write for them. Also, you’ll understand what items to include on your site and what not to; for example, do you really need that 20 second Flash introduction?

Know your product/service.

This seems like a no-brainer, but there is a lot more thought involved than you would think. Sure, your widget 2.0 is oh-so-cool and innovative in your mind, but what’s the benefit to the customer? How is your site going to convey it in a compelling and concise manner? Most people already have what they need and much of what they want – so how are you going to convince them otherwise. Slick graphics are nice, mainly when content and the customer are king.

Know your budget and time line.

Chances are you will be talking to at least a few design houses or freelancers. Having a definitive idea of what you want to spend and when you would like the project accomplished will help both you and your designer be realistic when it comes to setting milestones and items to include on the site. If you can’t afford it now, be it money or time, there is always “Phase II”.

Lastly, the more you plan ahead, the easier it will be to measure the success of your site, or at least know which metrics to use in general. There are quite a few other items for consideration when planning your business’ site. A good agency or designer will work through your draft and often brainstorm additional ideas with you. After all, a successful site is one that is constantly a work in progress.

Vel, magna, scelerisque penatibus. Montes ac arcu? Purus elementum ut? Nisi, elementum urna urna porta! Lorem elementum dignissim pulvinar elementum magnis nec elit, adipiscing eu, ridiculus adipiscing enim porta. Est elit, penatibus enim. Nec? Parturient montes elit diam aenean nec ac pulvinar nascetur. Integer, velit purus, tristique et egestas.