Web sites are the world’s window into your company. Located on a remote computer connected ton the internet via a high speed connection, a web site, when accessed by a user’s browser, sends multiple computer files over the internet back to the user’s computer where they are organized and displayed by his browser into a coherent “page” similar to that of a magazine. The user can view, print, and interact with the page’s elements (text, images, buttons, etc.) by moving his mouse pointer on top of different elements and clicking to cause things to happen.

Web Site Elements

Web pages contain many different types of elements. Each element also may have programming attached that runs when it is clicked. These programs can

• Transfer users to other linked pages or web sites.
• Send email or completed order forms to you or your staff.
• Enlarge images to full-page size.
• Play back audio sound effects or music.
• Load and play back digital video.
• Play back animations.
   

Your Web Site’s Purpose

Before you develop and launch a web site, you should have its purpose firmly in your mind. What is it that you want your web site to do for you and how do you want it done? A web site with no purpose will look it. All through the design and development process, the web site’s purpose will be the overriding factor when design, function, and development decisions are made. They all should relate back to the purpose of your site.

Web Site Functions

You should also think about the primary function your web site will perform. Web sites can:

• Provide general information about your company.
• Provide general product information.
• Generate sales leads.
• Provide online customer support.
• Sell products or services online
• Serve as a corporate intranet for employees only.
• Enable communications and/or transactions with suppliers.
   

Web Site Considerations

If you are planning to launch a new web site, or upgrade your existing one, you should also be aware of certain basic information. This includes:

• What purpose should/can your web site server?
• What benefits can you expect?
• What design considerations should you look at?
• What steps are involved in development?
• What options and software should you be aware of when deploying your web site?
• What’s involved in maintaining your web site?
• How can/should you market your site?

In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the things you’ll need to know in order to make web site decisions that are best for you.