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Set a website purpose around a specific visitor task

Summary

Define a website purpose through who visits, what they need to learn, and the action they can complete, then test that task and revise missing explanations.

Published

The visitor’s task provides a criterion for choosing content

Describe who reads what and acts, rather than writing only “marketing” as the purpose. Price comparison requires scope, costs, and enquiry steps.

Provide routes for several tasks where needed; a website need not have only one action.

Identify people and their situations

Describe real enquirers, customers, or candidates, their arrival context, and task.

Use enquiries, searches, and interviews instead of demographic labels alone. Test needs inferred only from invented profiles.

Place the information required for the task

Publish scope and prices for enquiries, locations and hours for visits, and role information for applications. Link to the relevant contact after the explanation.

Name distinct routes clearly and ensure shared contacts can route the purpose correctly.

Test the task with likely users

Observe likely users attempting the task without hinting at the answer. (GOV.UK — Using moderated usability testing) If prices cannot be found, fix their explanation and route.

Use later questions to improve copy. When the purpose changes, revise headings, prices, and contact routing too.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: Can marketing be the purpose?

A: Define the people, information, and enquiry or visit task.

Q: What about several purposes?

A: Provide routes and information for each task.

Q: Are demographics enough?

A: Use situations and actual questions too.

Q: Can the purpose evolve?

A: Revise content and contacts with business changes and user questions.

Sources

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