WebJunction

If you are in the process of creating a new Web site for your library, these questions are a good place to start.

1. What is your message? In this section you should ask yourself what you want to say on your site.

2. Who are you targeting? Who is your audience? Who would use your site? Why would they come to your site?

3. What is the budget available for Web development? How much for setup and how much for maintenance? What are the ways that you could get funding for your Web site? Do you know what type of Web site you can afford (large-scale database type, or online brochure type)?

4. How can you effectively present your point of view? What kind of voice is appropriate for your audience? What kind of content will be available? What are your featured categories? Should your site be consistent with other collateral materials in your library? Do you have several other sites that you want to emulate?

5. What will your Web site accomplish? Will your Web site be a research or a development tool? What is your site's main use? How will it improve what you have? What will be the benefits of online exposure? What will it bring you that you don't already have?

6. Can you do it in-house? How will you reassign staff duties to provide for ongoing maintenance and updating? If not in-house, do you know whether you need an individual consultant or a Web design firm?