| Once you have a clear picture of what your site might | | | | - Other websites that you would like to reference later. |
| look like, it is time to make some notes that we will | | | | It's important to write down a few of the competitors |
| refer to as our plan. I am not a big believer in 10-page | | | | that strike you, either as examples of what you want |
| business plans as I think they consume too much time | | | | to do or what you do NOT want to do. |
| and distract from getting REAL work done, but it is | | | | - Ideas for what specific topics you would like to |
| good to have some general organized notes that you | | | | discuss (i.e. article titles). This will be covered in detail |
| can look back on. | | | | later, but for now, include some basic categories of |
| Before creating your plan, you should be a sponge, | | | | information that you feel your site needs to talk about. |
| soaking up information and ideas on your site as well | | | | - Ideas for potential names. This is addressed in the |
| as the competition. Now, take one sheet of paper (or | | | | next lesson, but try to think up any ideas you might |
| a computer word processor) and start outlining your | | | | have for a |
| notes. There is no exactly right way to do this, either. | | | | - Anything else that has come to you during the |
| You can write your plan however you like, however it | | | | research process. Even things like colors, specific site |
| makes sense to you. | | | | layouts. Whatever. Write it all down. |
| It is important to include the following: | | | | Finally, it is important that you have fun with this |
| - A one paragraph description of your site and it's | | | | process! Relax, do not take it to seriously. Just spend |
| purpose. This will give you a strong focus as you | | | | some time looking up the competition, writing your |
| move forward. Think of this as a mission statement | | | | plans, and letting your creativity run wild. |
| that you can refer to in the coming weeks. | | | | |