Most sites are either for relaying information or are online stores.

It is sometimes difficult to have both on a website. An informational site needs to provide unbiased information about the topic of the website, while an online store needs to generate sales.

Your goals must be clear and deliberate and must be suitable for the industry your are focusing on.

Web site design strategy is very important to the success of your website.

Even if your site is already established, there are a few basics that should be looked into to be sure you are heading in the right direction. The result will form the basis for your web design strategy.

What is the reason for your site? Is it promote traffic to your business? is it to sell online? is it simply a contact page? What are your objectives?

Determine your strength and weaknesses. Picture yourself as your site 'visitor' and ask...would your buy here? would you bookmark? would you return to this site again??

and last, where is your income going to come from? Will it be from advertising, selling online or from some other program? How will you be any different from your rivals? And how could you maintain a competitive advantage over them?

How you answer above will decide your content strategy and this will determine your web site design.