Guide

Marketer's guide to building the perfect website

Your website isn't just a component of your marketing strategy—it's the foundation. To help you build a website that leads your marketing efforts, we’ve created this comprehensive checklist. Marketer’s guide to the perfect website walks you through each phase of the building process—from planning and strategy to design, development and optimization. By following these steps, you’ll create the perfect website that drives results and fosters growth.

Show Notes

Transcript

Phase 1: planning and strategy

Define the goal

Determine the primary purpose of your website (sales, leads, branding).
Establish success metrics—what defines success 6 months after launch?

Create a sitemap

Use tools like Relume to map out your site structure and key pages.
Plan the user journey—guide visitors from entry to conversion.

Plan layout and structure

Build out wireframes to organize sections and page layouts.
Map out content flow to prioritize scannability over lengthy paragraphs.
Strategically place calls-to-action (CTAs) to drive conversions.

Phase 2: design

Learn design principles

Understand basics of color theory, balance, contrast, and hierarchy to create visual appeal (even if outsourcing design, this will allow you to provide constructive feedback).
Focus on readability and accessibility to ensure ease of use for all visitors.

Remember your plan

Refer to your wireframe, sitemap, and goals throughout the design process.
Keep the user journey top-of-mind—design to support conversions, not just looks.
Highlight key actions with buttons, forms, and CTAs that stand out.

Design for reuse

Build reusable components (headers, buttons, sections) for scalability.
Create consistent layouts to make updates easier and maintain visual flow.

Phase 3: development and optimization

Sweat the small stuff

Build on a solid foundation using tools like Webflow for flexibility and speed.
Optimize for performance—compress images, clean code, and minimize load times.
Use clean class naming conventions for easier edits and scalability.

Focus on the user

Test for cross-browser compatibility and responsive design.
Optimize interactions and animations for usability—not just aesthetics.
Focus on fast load speeds and seamless navigation to reduce friction points.

Launch means start

Treat launch as the beginning, not the end—prepare for ongoing updates and testing.
Set up tools like Google Analytics and Heatmaps to track performance.
Plan for continuous improvement—monitor metrics, test changes, and refine content.

Key takeaways:

Plan first: set clear goals, map the user journey, and organize content intentionally.
Design with usability in mind: prioritize clarity, consistency, and scalability.
Build for performance: sweat the small details to ensure responsiveness and reliability.
Optimize continuously: track metrics, test changes, and iterate for growth.