Here’s the thing, I have been immersed for days in building/adding/deleting/creating my new site and I have come to realize that I sometimes forget to ask the important questions first.  The questions that are the impetus for a great website.  The kind of site that entices the user to come back, to want to stay, to say “Wow!” (no, not “Wow, that site sucks!”) and to enjoy the experience and find it useful and engaging.

So, here I am writing and wandering around back to what I think should be the genesis of all website building.  Asking myself the three questions that are critical to having a successful website :

Why would anyone visit this site? This is the biggy right?  What about this site makes a person pull up a chair, their hot cup of whatever and WANT to visit my site.  We are assuming they are viewing search results from query and are now deciding who to click on.  They (the viewer or really the “seeker”) are searching online to solve some sort of problem.  The problems are anything from needing a new pair of shoes, wanting to be entertained, fixing a plumbing issue at home to needing a web consultant.  Does my site or yours for that matter solve their problem?   Does the description in the search results tell them that you have the answer and can make everything all better?

Why would anyone stay and purchase/call/email? This question tackles the site’s usability, intuitiveness, esthetic appeal and sense of design and relevant content.  Does this site make it easy to get to information?  Does the content read well and solve problems or does it read like an obnoxious commercial.  I don’t know about you but I tend to “bounce” off sites that bore me with redundant ad-speak instead of giving me answers.  If I am searching for a new dishwasher I want to know what the dishwasher can do for me, not why the dishwasher company is soooo awesome and the best dishwashing company ever.  I need a dishwasher.  Not a dishwashing machine company’s blah, blah, blah.

Next, does the website reflect that the business is current with design and esthetic appeal for their industry?  Meaning,  is it cool (important for music, trendy clothing or techy gadgets), professional (consultants, big industry), edgy (artist, politically controversial) etc..?  The site should reflect the visitors you are trying to attract.

Are you sensing a theme here?  Yep, that’s right… it’s all about the visitor’s experience.  :)  Not the designer’s, not the business owner’s or even Google (that’s another subject).  It’s all about the people who WANT to buy, click, email or call.  They really do or they wouldn’t be considering your site in the first place.  So, give ‘em what they want.  A great user experience with lots of info to make their decision making easier.  Make them WANT to pick you.  What makes you stay on a site?

Would I visit this site again? hmmmm…. why do I bookmark a site for later visits?  What makes me want to come back?  What sites do I visit regularly and why?  The biggest reasons I can think of is ease of use and sites that let me get to exactly what I want without having to sift through a bunch of irrelevant stuff that wastes my time (my time could be better spent augmenting my iTunes library after all).  Oh, and maybe there is something NEW on the site since last time I visited.  Maybe, just maybe the site is offering something FRESH to my user experience.  New articles to read, new helpful insights, new products I might like, new offers, new discounts! New, new, new!

Whew.  Time to go back and revisit my own site and see if there is something new I can give.  People like people who give ;)