There may be different reasons for people wanting to create their own websites. No matter the purpose, of course we all want the website to be successful. That’s where careful planning and designing of the website comes in.

Right through the designing of your website you must remember that you will ultimately want web users to visit it and to return to it again and again. This of course they will do only if they find your website interesting enough to attract them in the first place and interesting enough and usable enough to make them want to return.

Creating an attractive website is usually the easiest part of the process. Creating a usable one is a whole new ball game. For this to happen, your website will have to be user centered right from the very start of the process. All too often a website is tested for its usability after it has been completed and is ready to go live. But think of the time, energy and expense one can save by considering usability right from the site’s very inception.

By considering usability right from the word go, not only will you save on these, time, energy and expense, but you can be more certain of providing a greater level of satisfaction to your users and your chances of a successful website will be proportionately greater.

So how do you go about it?

First of all, be very of sure what your goals for your business and with regard to the user will be. Make sure you have a clear picture of what your users’ needs are expected to be .Look around at other sites similar to the type you envision and evaluate them. Carry out a competitive analysis, as well as surveys and interviews to get the complete picture.

Once you have determined this, make an initial theoretical design and carry out a task analysis. Have as many models or samples as you can, and design and evaluate their usability by testing and trying them out, until you feel you  have exactly what you want.

Finally you are ready for your website. So go ahead but even though you once create it you cannot sit on your laurels. You must still be at it, evaluating its usability by testing it and then using the feedback you receive to further develop and enhance it. This, one must remember, must be a continuous process, because circumstances and needs are constantly changing.

Remember, by always keeping the goals of your website and the needs of your users foremost in your mind your chances of going wrong are slimmer. Remember, too, that it would be preferable for your website to have usability than to be an extensive,    one.