Goal-setting your Dream Website

I imagine many know exactly what they want their website to do for them.  For those that do not, like myself, I believe sitting down and writing out your website’s goal will go a long way to achieving success. 

You may be familiar with the SMART goal-setting model.  This basically asks that your goal be: Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Realistic and Time-framed.  Alternatively ask yourself:

• What specifically is the goal of my website and why do I want this?  I didn’t have a clue really what mine was all about; all I had was a vague idea on what I wanted it to look like, that’s important isn’t it?
• How focused and centred am I?  To achieve any goal you must be focused and centred – I did a million and one things and didn’t concentrate on what I really wanted to achieve, because quite frankly, I didn’t have a clear idea on what I wanted to achieve;
• Look at your goal through new eyes – for example you might ask yourself “What will I gain by having this website?” Then ask, “What will I gain by not having this website?”  Ask someone who is experienced in your niche area, and who has a successful website, for some feedback on yours.  Remember, you might not like what you’re going to hear, but it might be what you need to hear;
• What skill must I already have already to pull off my goal?  What will I need to get in order to make my website concept work; and
• What is the importance of calculating your website’s end goal?  Without an action plan you can follow you’ll soon lose track of the steps you need to take.  Start small and work your way up.  If you look at everything you need to do in a limited timeframe you may become overwhelmed and with overwhelm, procrastination may step in.

A few things you might like to include in your website goal-setting are:

• Website purpose
• Your Brand or intellectual property
• Design
• Budget
• Marketing
• Advertising
• Staff
• Skills
• Training

As you continue with your goal-setting become aware of any self talk.  Is it positive self-talk such as “what a great idea this is of yours!”  Or more like negative self-talk such as “this is never going to work, what on earth were you thinking?”

If this applies to you, you might like to note what you hear in a journal.  This has always worked exceptionally well for me and might for you too.

First, rule up two columns.  On one side write down your internal self talk whether positive or negative.  In the other column, if you have an internal critic write down what your solution to the problem is and will be.

On the other hand if you have supportive positive self talk you might like to give gratitude for all the positive things that happen in your life as you begin to achieve your goal.  One of the greatest motivators is success so even with a seemingly minor goal that’s achieved it deserves validation including a big pat on the back. 

The last thing I will leave you with however is this, be prepared for setbacks. Not everything works out according to plan, allow for some flexibility.

As Confucius once said a long time ago:

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps”