Many people set goals for their business and personal lives each new year. But also consider, “What are the goals for your website?”

To create a successful website, you should have clear goals. You might want to sell something, share information, get email subscribers, or provide a private membership area.  

I use WordPress to build websites because it is powerful and versatile. WordPress makes it easy to create any kind of website you want. 

So, the sooner you can clarify your website’s goals, the sooner you can achieve those goals.

What Do You Want Visitors to Do?

Your website is your most important marketing tool. It’s the primary way people will get to know you and your business, so you’ll want to make a great first impression. Your website should inform and engage visitors. Remember, people don’t want to think too hard. 

But more importantly, What do you want people to do on your website? The goal of your website is directly related to the call to action. Setting clear goals for your website helps you understand what you want to achieve and how to do it.

The Benefits of Clear Goals

When you are building a website, having a clear goal in mind has many benefits.

  • Helps you stay focused: Clear goals help you prioritize tasks and avoid wasting time on unproductive ones.
  • Allows you to measure success: You can improve your site by tracking its performance and making necessary adjustments.
  • Sets expectations for your visitors: Your visitors can easily understand what your website is about and what they can expect from it.
  • Guides your content strategy: To make content for your website, figure out your goals, who you want to reach, and how to do it.
  • Encourages Growth: Having clear goals helps you improve your website and reach more people, leading to greater success.

Watch the Video Explaining the Goals of Your Homepage

Listen to the video explaining why it’s important to have a clear call to action on the homepage of your website.

Common Website Goals

First, you need to be clear on what you want to do. Do you want to sell more, get more leads, build your brand, or share helpful information? Who is your target audience, and what are they looking for? Here are some common website goals you can consider:

1) Sign Up for a Discovery Session

If you are a coach or a consultant, you will want to improve your website’s impact by featuring a call-to-action to sign up for a free “discovery session.”  A “discovery session,” often referred to as an initial consultation or a free consultation, is an introductory meeting between a coach and a potential client. Its primary purpose is to assess whether there is a good fit between the coach and the individual seeking coaching.  This helps you attract your potential clients.

2) Build an Email List

Your website can be a powerful lead-generation tool. You can attract potential customers and encourage them to act by filling out an opt-in form for a free gift. A well-made website with clear directions can turn visitors into leads and then into paying customers.

3) Sell Products or Services

If you sell products or services online, your website is about getting people to buy. To make your site easy to use, include clear product info and offer discounts. You should also have a marketing funnel to guide visitors from the homepage to the checkout page.

4) Give Important Information that Helps People

Your website is a great tool for sharing news, industry insights, blog articles, and educational resources. To become an expert in your field and gain loyal readers, provide valuable content. Remember, be sure that the majority of your writing is evergreen content. 

5) Support Your Customers

Your website can be a platform for customers to ask questions, give feedback, or get support. Make it simple for customers to reach out to you. Offer useful resources such as FAQs or live chat help.

Avoid Too Many Goals

If you’re trying to reach all the goals above, you’ll likely reach none. I often see people trying to do TOO much on their websites. Visitors become confused and don’t know what to do next as a result. 

Yes, many websites have too many goals and are not as effective. To have a successful site, clarify what you want it to do and get clear on that goal. Not all sites have to sell something. Many sites curate information or lead people to buy items on other sites, such as Amazon. There are several ways to monetize your website.

How Your Website’s Goals Influence Its Design and Layout

Your website goals will play a major role in your design. Once you know your website’s purpose, you can design it to help visitors achieve their goals. 

Here are a few examples:

  • Goal = Provide helpful information to your audience.
    Action = Make it easy for people to find what they need by organizing content into categories and adding a search bar. 

  • Goal = Sell your programs/products.
    Action = Make the checkout process easy for customers to finish their purchases quickly. 

  • Goal = Generate leads.
    Action     = Make sure your website has clear buttons and an easy-to-use menu. This will help people find your contact information or special offers. 

  • Goal = Connect to your audience with your style/brand.
    Action = Create a website that is unique and visually appealing to your target market. Show your mission and values.

Whatever your website goals, they will help you make design decisions supporting them. This includes everything from the layout and color scheme to fonts and images. To improve your website’s user experience, think about your goals and what visitors want. This will keep visitors engaged and make them want to return for more. 

Create Your Website Goal Now

In this article, we’ve reviewed a few common website goals and why it’s important to have a clear call to action. You’ve also learned how your goal will influence your website design. 

So, what’s the purpose of your website? What do you want a visitor to do on your website? Having a clear goal for your website is key if you want it to work well. If you don’t know what you’re trying to do through your site, it will be difficult to gauge success.

Start clarifying your website goals today, and keep those in mind while building and updating your website. 

[Originally published January 2010, Updated October 2023]

Print Friendly, PDF & Email