Web Design for Small Business – WIDS

Course Competencies

1. Develop a website strategy based on business goals and customer needs.

Assessment Strategies

  • 1.1. Product
  • 1.2. Performance
  • 1.3. Presentation

Criteria

You will know you are successful when:

  • 1.1. you identify the target audience and customer needs.
  • 1.2. you define the business goals and main marketing message.
  • 1.3. you organize products and services for online customers.
  • 1.4. you connect marketing goals to website design choices.

Learning Objectives

  • 1.a. Identify target audiences and customer needs.
  • 1.b. Define website goals and marketing messages.
  • 1.c. Organize products and services for online sales.
  • 1.d. Apply marketing strategy to website design.

2. Build a functional small business website using industry-standard software.

Assessment Strategies

  • 2.1. Product
  • 2.2. Performance
  • 2.3. Critique

Criteria

You will know you are successful when:

  • 2.1. you build a working website using an industry-leading web platform.
  • 2.2. you create clear navigation and organize website content.
  • 2.3. you add products or services with appropriate descriptions and images.
  • 2.4. you configure and test essential ecommerce features, including checkout when applicable.

Learning Objectives

  • 2.a. Navigate an industry-leading web platform.
  • 2.b. Create and organize website pages.
  • 2.c. Add products, services, and supporting content.
  • 2.d. Test website functionality and usability.

3. Prepare and optimize website assets using industry-standard software.

Assessment Strategies

  • 3.1. Product
  • 3.2. Performance
  • 3.3. Critique

Criteria

You will know you are successful when:

  • 3.1. you prepare images and graphics in appropriate web formats.
  • 3.2. you optimize image dimensions, resolution, and file sizes.
  • 3.3. you organize and name files for efficient website use.
  • 3.4. you create consistent visual assets that support the brand.

Learning Objectives

  • 3.a. Identify appropriate file formats for web use.
  • 3.b. Prepare and export assets for website performance.
  • 3.c. Organize files for efficient web production.
  • 3.d. Apply visual design principles to website assets.

4. Apply search engine optimization (SEO) principles to improve website visibility.

Assessment Strategies

  • 4.1. Product
  • 4.2. Performance
  • 4.3. Presentation

Criteria

You will know you are successful when:

  • 4.1. you identify relevant keywords based on customer searches.
  • 4.2. you write clear page titles, headings, and descriptions.
  • 4.3. you apply keywords naturally to website content.
  • 4.4. you use descriptive image filenames and alternative text.

Learning Objectives

  • 4.a. Explain how SEO helps customers find websites.
  • 4.b. Identify keywords relevant to a business and its audience.
  • 4.c. Apply basic on-page SEO techniques.
  • 4.d. Prepare website images for search visibility and accessibility.

5. Present and critique design work collaboratively.

Assessment Strategies

  • 5.1. Performance
  • 5.2. Presentation
  • 5.3. Critique

Criteria

You will know you are successful when:

  • 5.1. you present and explain your design decisions.
  • 5.2. you provide constructive, respectful feedback to others.
  • 5.3. you consider feedback and revise your work when appropriate.
  • 5.4. you respect diverse opinions during group critiques.

Learning Objectives

  • 5.a. Present and justify design solutions.
  • 5.b. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of design work.
  • 5.c. Provide constructive feedback.
  • 5.d. Evaluate feedback and determine appropriate revisions.

6. Use creative assets ethically and follow professional standards.

Assessment Strategies

  • 6.1. Product
  • 6.2. Performance
  • 6.3. Presentation

Criteria

You will know you are successful when:

  • 6.1. you use original or properly licensed images, fonts, and other assets.
  • 6.2. you follow copyright, licensing, and attribution requirements.
  • 6.3. you use AI and editing tools responsibly and avoid misleading content.
  • 6.4. you demonstrate ethical and professional behavior throughout the project.

Learning Objectives

  • 6.a. Identify copyright and licensing requirements.
  • 6.b. Locate and select legally usable creative assets.
  • 6.c. Apply ethical practices when creating website content.
  • 6.d. Evaluate the ethical implications of marketing decisions.