The Internet is the primary tool for business research, the first thing that you do when contacted by a new company is look up their web site. Depending on your primary aim, the web site should be a key information source on your company or maybe a dedicated sales tool - enabling your prospective customers to find the information they need quickly and easily. Before programming starts, it is essential to undertake a detailed study of the background, key aims of the business, external environment and target audiences. This will then shape the brief and allow creation of website with identified objectives that will work for you and make a difference to your business. M+ will ensure your Website is: Customer orientated Professional and stylish Compelling Integrated with marketing programme Supports sales activity A powerful marketing tool Interactive Easy to navigate Structured for growth Programmed for high search engine ranking As part of the process M+ will produce a Project Plan identifing the actions required, by whom and by when. This is essential if a site is to be developed within budget and timescale. The Project Plan will contain the following elements: Identify project team members Project team responsibilites User requirements; search facility, downloads, member areas, tiered access, e-commerce, etc. Search engine optimization and registration Site structure Technical issues Copy development Production plan and timetable Maintenance and development plan Driving traffic to your Web Site Key to the success of any web site is the generation of awareness of and interest in the site. This requires active promotion and will rely on communication to your customers and interested markets. This maybe through the use of traditional tools such as PR, advertising, direct mail etc, but also look for relevant opinion forming websites that you can create advertising links from. Create free content that adds value and will make people want to bookmark your site. Last but not least, make sure that you web address is on every piece of literature, packaging, written and electronic communication.