Always get your content right first. Whether you're building a site yourself with Squarespace or you're working with an agency, this is critical. Resist the urge to dive into the fun stuff too soon--you'll thank yourself later. Here's why.
- Clear Communication
Starting with content allows you to articulate your message, mission, and goals clearly. When you have well-defined content, it's easier to convey your brand's story and purpose to your audience. This clarity helps establish a strong online presence right from the start.
- User-Centered Design
Content-first design places your users' needs at the forefront. By understanding your audience and their preferences through content, you can create a user-centered design that caters to their expectations and ensures a great experience.
- SEO Benefits
Search engine optimization (SEO) is vital for online visibility. When you develop content before design, you can integrate keywords and optimize your content for search engines from the outset. This proactive approach boosts your ranking in search results.
- Content Dictates Design
Content often is the best approach to determining the structure and layout of a website. By establishing content first, you can create a design that aligns with the content's flow, ensuring that information is presented logically and effectively.
- Efficient Development
When you build a website with content as your foundation, developers have a clear roadmap for implementation. This reduces the chances of last-minute design changes and streamlines the development process, saving time and resources.
- Faster Launch
A content-first approach accelerates the website development timeline. Since content creation often takes longer than design, starting with content allows you to get a head start and potentially launch your site sooner.
- Better Collaboration
Content-first encourages collaboration between content creators, designers, and developers from the beginning of the project. This interdisciplinary teamwork fosters a holistic approach to website creation, resulting in a more cohesive and effective final product.
Building a website with content as the starting point offers a plethora of advantages, from clear communication and user-centered design to SEO benefits and efficient development. By prioritizing content before design, you set a solid foundation for your website, ensuring that it meets your users' needs and accomplishes your online goals effectively. So, when you embark on your next web development project, consider the content-first approach for a smoother and more successful journey.
Side note: A great place to start is to check out Gather Content.