Whether you’re looking to upgrade a current site, or build a site from scratch to establish your online presence, the decision to embark on the process of developing a new website is an exciting one that offers endless opportunities.  What will your site “do”? What will it look like? What will it say about you? Before you start planning a launch party, it’s important to spend time carefully planning your site structure and navigation. Sure, you know how to talk to your customers, but what about the search engines? How much control do you want to have to make site updates and how much time do you have to keep site content fresh? Below are some important areas to consider as you think about carving out your portion of the online universe:

•    What do I want my customer to “do” on my site?
Think carefully about the actions you want your customer to take when they arrive at your site. If you want them to buy product, make sure the placement of your purchase links are visible. If you want them to become a member, ensure you provide them with a button or easy to find link to do so. Take a step back and think about the basic goals of your site and begin planning from there.