Target Your Audience

You need to determine to what audience your web site will be targeted.  Because of the potential global audience for a web site, you must know how to target your web site message! Both the artistic style and nature of your web site's content are highly dependent upon this information. 

Not only does your audience determine your content, but its preferences influence your visual-design requirements as well.  The colors, layout, content and number of pages for your site may vary, depending upon the target audience. Without at least a general idea of you potential audience, it is difficult to know what type of site to create.

Builder Beware

It's always safest to consider the lowest common denominator in terms of users and internet browsers for a web site to reach the largest audience. 

However, catering to a small percentage of potential viewers on outdated browsers may cause a site to become either too costly or too old-fashioned as some of the advanced features available today couldn't be used.

Identify Technological Challenges

It's vital that you identify your potential visitors so that you can address user preferences and site requirements, which could pose technological challenges.
  • Do they have dial-up or high-speed connections?
  • Do they use the latest in computer technology or older computers and software?
  • Is your audience familiar with computers and the net?
  • Could some users have disabilities requiring special devices for surfing the net?
site-icons-target