It is frequently agreed that today we are building fourth generation internet sites. Today’s sites are highly interactive, forceful content-managed web sites that are built to meet the requirements of a particularly identified target market.

To develop a successful internet site it must first be understood the site itself is not the last result, it’s the auto thru which we get what we want, i.e. Sales, leads, improved customer service and brand awareness. Maybe you have heard it claimed ‘Nobody purchases a drill because they need a drill. They buy a drill because they need a hole!’
Who are we?
At a very high level, commercial web sites sometimes fall into one of four primary Site types :

The objective of this kind of site is typically to increase readership, level of interest, and brand awareness. Content sites are often supported by sponsors and advertisements, subscriptions and other premium services. Examples are CNN.com, Consumer Reports, CocaCola.com, Wisdairy.com.
E-commerce sites
The target of this type of site is sometimes to increase sales and decrease selling expenses. Examples of this type of site would be BestBuy.Com, Amazon.Com, AmericanGirl.com

The objective for lead generation sites is to extend and segment lead generation. The target for this type of site is to increase customer satisfaction and decrease support investigations or people-powered support services. Examples of customer service sites are UPS.Com, support.dell.com and internet banking sites.
*In reality, many sites may fall across some or all of these categories, but it is typically obvious which is the site type is primary. After we understand our primary site type, the site should be developed under that context.

Who is our Audience?
Once we understand our key business objective ( s ) we must come to have a deep appreciation of our ideal customer profile, their requirements needs and inducements. Depending on the kind of site you are developing, there is likely to be countless audiences which are often broken down into first and secondary audiences. For instance, our primary audience may include Current clients, Prospects, work seekers and/or stockholders while our secondary audience may include the area people, the press, and staff or business partners.

While our secondary audiences may be considered in the site design and development, our primary audiences are generally high-value visitors whom we want to’convert’ as applicable for each audience type. Demographics - Age, sex, revenue, Geography, Education, computer and web ability Level & use, Job Title & Level of Authority, Internet Access ( Broadband Vs Dialup ). Now we want to drill farther into understanding our visitors by examining their Psychographic profiles which considers things like lifestyle, angle, principles, values, personality, motives, wishes wishes and expectations.
When we understand’Who’, our main audience types are, we can begin to use this info to ask questions such as :

What? Based upon the individual audience profiles, what do we’d like this user to do? Are there key conversions for each user type?

Where? Where are we able to find this audience? Are there online resources that attract this group? Are there consultation forums, blogs or other social networking sites precise to this group? Are there trade regulars with web sites that could be used to advertise to this group?

Before you start to design your internet site, take a little time to think fastidiously about these questions.

Wisconsin internet site Design.

The Author is the CEO of a Wisconsin based Web Desgn and Internet Marketing Company based In Neenah WI.
You can view the company website here:

www.irazorstrategies.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/web-design-articles/build-a-high-performance-website-by-knowing-who-your-client-is-1388354.html