What the Target Audience Wants

Once the target audience is decided upon the next step is make a list of what that target audience will want. Here's some ideas of what a target audience might want:

• Professionalism
  When visiting a business, informational or resume web site people look for a professional appearance. Quality graphics and content in an organized, uncluttered arrangement give a professional appearance.
  
  
• A good web site design
  A good web site design does not have to have all the bells and whistles available. A simple clean design can be just as effective (if not more effective) as one that uses all the latest technologies available.
  
  
• Easy navigation
  A simple navigation system that is consistent throughout the whole site is easier for the visitor to learn. If the system is complicated or inconsistent the visitor will get lost within the site and may leave because they find it too hard to find what they are looking for.
  
  
• Fulfillment of their immediate needs
  If the content fulfils the immediate needs of the visitor then they are more likely to bookmark the site for future reference and/or refer others to the site.
  
  
• Trustworthy A site that displays all their contact information, privacy policy, return policy, terms of service etc. up front instills the feeling that this is a trustworthy site to deal with. Displaying logos of the Better Business Bureau, associations that the company is a member of and partnerships with well known companies also instill credibility.
  
  
• Demonstration of Capabilities
  Information on and reference to past and current projects and clients that shows what type of work the company/individual is capable of.
  
  

All of the above and consideration of the type of user (novice, expert or international) will dictate the type of content and marketing the web site will require.