How to use SWOT Analysis for Website Design Strategy

(Strengths, Weaknesses Opportunities, Threats)

Gasman design likes to use SWOT Analysis for all of it’s new website clients.

What is a SWOT Analysis for Websites?

A SWOT analysis is a simple, yet powerful tool to help you & us develop your website strategy. Whether you’re a startup or an existing company this is a great exercise to better understanding your business.

Hence, together we have a better idea of what would make your website more successful.

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats.

Internal Environment – Strengths and weaknesses are internal to your company—things that you have some control over and can change. Examples include your website, staff, products or services.

Questions we ask about your business before the web design and development. 

Strengths (S)

• What advantages does your organization have?
• What do you do better than anyone else?
• What unique or lowest-cost resources can you draw upon that others can’t?
• What do people in your market see as your strengths?
• What factors mean that you “get the sale”?

Weaknesses (W)

• What could you improve?
• What should you avoid?
• What are people in your market likely to see as weaknesses?
• What factors lose you sales?

Again, consider this from an internal and external perspective: do other people seem to perceive weaknesses that you don’t see? Are your competitors doing any better than you?

External Environment – outside of your control such as the online marketplace or competitors.

Opportunities (O)

• What good opportunities can you spot?
• What interesting trends are you aware of?

Useful opportunities can come from such things as:
• Changes in web and mobile technology along with emerging markets.
• Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, and so on.
• Local events.

Threats (T)

• What obstacles do you face?
• What are your competitors doing?
• Are quality standards or specifications for your job, products or services changing?
• Is changing technology threatening your position?
• Could any of your weaknesses seriously threaten your business?

Furthermore – Competitors, Goals & Actions

• Can you share with me 2-3 websites you like in your industry? Design and content.
• What is the goal of your website? (educate, generate quotes, call you).
• Describe your primary audience or customer or who you want them to be (i.e. age, occupation, income, location)

WEBSITE – PHASE II

Phase II would be us talking about a blog and/or PPC campaign. Facebook/Instagram retargeting ads or Google AdWords. Plus, optimizing your Google Business listing. You might consider adding Live Chat to your site if your employees are always in the office during business hours to answer questions.

Check out our page: Minneapolis Web Design

Continue reading: 5 Keys to Creating Successful Websites

If you rather watch a video about SWOT analysis: How to Perform a SWOT Analysis

Learn how you can perform and use a SWOT analysis for your organization.