Now that we have picked out the perfect domain (or hopefully domains), it is time to start thinking about your website.  So, first things first.  You need to define your purpose, what you want to achieve.  You need to know why you are taking the time (and marketing dollars) to build a website.  As in anything in life, if you don't have a clear and measurable goal, you can't be successful, so here is where it all begins. 

Businesses (and individuals) build websites for many reasons:  
    - To communicate an image
    - To sell a product or service
    - To generate leads
    - To advertise an online catalogue or brochure
    - To reduce overhead
    - To provide customer service
    - To publish important news and events
    - To provide information to a niche audience
    - To publsh images or photos for viewing
    - To provide a means of accessing other websites
    - To satisfy a need for social interaction

Whatever your purpose, this is the first step.  Treat the definition of purpose as you would any other major business decision.  Think about the return on investment and make yourself accountable.  You need to know what you want to accomplish and what your visitors will want to gain.

Once you have it figured out, write it down.  Make it your mission, a Website Mission Statement.  Be clear and concise.  Let this guide your actions, spell out your overall goal, provide a sense of direction, and guide your decision-making.  This is the context within which your website design will be formulated.  Think about  your target market, moral / ethical image, key features, special considerations, and expectations of growth.  Then break it down into small achievable goals and keep it  visible at all times.  Know how and when you plan to evaluate your progress. 

This may sound a bit overwhelming, but taking the time to do it up front will help you develop a site that can grow and improve over time.  Otherwise, you might as well be trying to hit a moving target, and you will never feel the satisfaction of even a small success.