Structure and Functionality

Outline the web content

Think about how you will divide your information into logical units and develop an outline with these units as headers. I use Microsoft Word in outline view because it’s easy to move things around and re-order things, and easy to extend into page view when you start to develop the content.
Use each header level to show a different level of content - Sections, pages, subheads, etc.

Standard information

Certain information should be provided because viewers expect it:

  • Home Page

    The home page (or index page) should tell the user whether the site contains what they are looking for. The main content should be easily accessible from the home page.

  • About Us Page

    This page should hold company information, history, and mission.

  • Contact Page

    Contact information such as physical address, mailing address, phone numbers, and email link should be provided.

  • Privacy policy page

    If you include an inquiry form you should also include a privacy policy.

  • Copyright

    Your copyright notice should be on every page.

Information about your product or service

Keep in mind your goals, and what your ideal viewer is looking for. If you are providing information about products and services note the following information:

  • The name of the product or service
  • How the product works
  • What the service provides
  • How your ideal viewer would benefit from using it

Is there a particular group of viewers who buy this product? Describe the viewer group as accurately as possible in terms of age, gender, lifestyle and income, geographic location.

  • What do they like about the product?
  • What do they dislike?

Imagine the questions the viewer would ask and try to answer them.
How does your product compare with those of your competitors?
What is the benefit of using your product over that of your competitors?

Functionality

Decide what functionality the website needs in order to achieve your goals and provide what your viewer wants.

  • request forms
  • document download
  • third party services: currency conversion, weather, market information, news
  • polls
  • customer login
  • forums
  • blogs
  • online shopping
  • online ordering

Add the functionality to the outline in the correct section.