A Website SWOT Analysis
Why do a website SWOT analysis? You may have a brilliant idea for a website, but no idea of it is viable to build it. A website SWOT analysis gives you a simple, clear snapshot of what you can deliver and whether the marketplace will be sufficiently receptive to your offering.It's a great tool to help you in your planning process. I highly recommend that you do it before you start building your website. Once you master the process, you can also use it to evaluate an existing website. But first, let's look at what a website SWOT analysis is.
What is a Website SWOT Analysis?A SWOT analysis is an established method of assessing an idea's viability by examining its (internal) Strengths and Weaknesses and matching these to its (external) Opportunities and Threats.Collecting facts and ideas together into one place may enable you to see the bigger picture at a glance, and identify all major factors affecting your idea's competitiveness. It also acts as a decision-making aid to formulating a good business plan and/or marketing strategy. To do a website SWOT analysis, start by dividing a page into four quadrants with a vertical line and a horizontal line. The top two analysis quadrants are Strengths and Weaknesses. The bottom two quadrants are Opportunities and Threats.
1. StrengthsIn the first box of this analysis, list all the strengths that you have in implementing your idea. This isn't the time for modesty, but you have to be honest and realistic too. Keep your competitors in mind while you're listing your own strengths. One of the strengths you take for granted might be something that your potential customers might value and that your competition doesn't have or do. Brainstorm. Write down all the positive words you can think of that characterize you. You can edit later.You may come up with things like: - Unique idea, no one else is even close; - Passion to make it work; - 7 Years experience working in the field; - Good understanding of common problems that potential customers in this niche have; - Knowledge to create a good information product; - Creative abilities to present information in an innovative way.
2. WeaknessesIn the top right box list weaknesses - things you don't have, things you don't do well and things you cannot do at all. This is a time for brutal honesty. If you have clarity about your weaknesses, it's easier to come up with solutions.Here are a few examples: - Poor time management skills; - Little or no family support; - Lack of belief that you can really do it; - Lack of knowledge in the area of web design.
3. OpportunitiesThe lower left box is for opportunities. What is not happening in the market at present? What are your competitors not doing that you can do? What does the market need that you could perhaps provide? Think in terms of what would benefit your potential customers - what could you offer that might be cheaper, easier, more convenient, faster...?You may identify things like the following: - Insider knowledge that will help you communicate well with potential customers in your niche; - Possible book sales; - Possible joint venture opportunities; - A Unique selling proposition. 4. ThreatsThe lower right area in your website SWOT analysis is for threats - what do you see that could make you obsolete? What are your competitors doing that may change things for you? How is technology developing?You may come up with things like: - Niche may be too small to make idea viable; - Niche may be too large; - Very strong competitors in market. Notice that the top two [Strengths and Weaknesses] relate to matters that are internal, while the bottom two [Opportunities and Threats] relate to external factors.
Solutions
If you've identified a lot of weaknesses or threats during the process, you don't have to throw the baby out with the bath water. A website SWOT analysis is just as much about finding solutions as it is about analysing your idea. Do you need to take a time management course? Do you have to read up on web design? Do you have to refine your concept to find a niche within a niche?
If you still feel passionate about your idea, put your thinking hat on and don't give up. What solutions can you come up with to make your idea viable? Get advice if you're stuck. Sometimes it helps to get a fresh perspective from someone who's willing to be objective. On the other hand, if your idea is really not viable, move on. It will save you a lot time and tears. Promise!
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