Building With Purpose:
What Does My Website Actually Need?
Lesson Goal: Students will evaluate their website’s purpose and determine which tools are truly necessary to support that purpose.
In website design, plugins are tools. They can add protection, speed, forms, security, and features. But just because a tool exists does not mean it is wise to use it.
Just because WordPress offers thousands of plugins, does that mean we should install them all?
If you install everything, what happens? Your site slows down. It becomes cluttered. It can break. It becomes harder to manage.
Wisdom is not about how much you can add. Wisdom is knowing what to leave out.
A wise designer builds with purpose. Every plugin should solve a specific problem. If it does not solve a problem, it probably does not belong on your site.”
Scripture
“Ecclesiastes 7:12 says, ‘For wisdom is protection as money is protection, but the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.’
Wisdom protects. Knowledge preserves.
Website Purpose Audit
What is the main goal of your website?
Is it to sell, inform, showcase, book clients, or build a brand?
Who is your target audience?
What action do you want visitors to take?
Does your current site clearly guide people toward that action?
This shifts the lesson from technical to strategic thinking.
Essential Website Functions
Every professional website usually needs:
• Security
• Backups
• Contact method
• Performance optimization
• SEO basics
Which of these does your site already have?
Which are missing?
Which are unnecessary for your current stage?
Start by explaining the purpose.
Today you are not just students. You are website consultants. Your job is to evaluate a site with wisdom, clarity, and honesty.
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First Impression
What is the first thing you notice?
Is the purpose of the website clear within 5 seconds? -
Clarity
Who is this website for?
Is it obvious what action the visitor should take? -
Design
Is the layout clean?
Is the font easy to read?
Are images high quality?
Does it feel professional? -
Mobile
Does it look good on a phone?
Anything overlapping or hard to read? -
Functionality
Are buttons working?
Do links go where they should?
Is there anything confusing? -
Plugin Wisdom
Does the site feel overloaded with features?
Does everything serve a purpose?
Each reviewer must give two things:
One specific compliment.
One specific growth area.
Your compliment must be clear and detailed. Do not say, “It looks good.” That does not help someone improve. Instead, say something like, “Your call to action button stands out clearly and makes it easy to know what to click.” Be specific about what is working and why it works.
Your growth area must also be specific and constructive. Do not say, “It is confusing.” Instead say something like, “Your homepage needs a clearer headline explaining what you offer so visitors understand the purpose right away.” The goal is to help, not criticize.
After everyone finishes the written reviews, we will have a short discussion. Each of you will share one thing you learned from reviewing other websites. This is important. When you evaluate someone else’s work, it sharpens your own eye. You begin to notice what works, what does not, and why.
For optional reflection homework, write a short response to this question:
“What changes will I make based on today’s feedback?”
Wisdom is not just receiving feedback. Wisdom is applying it. As designers, discernment matters. Every choice you make, from layout to wording to plugins, should serve a purpose. Today you are learning to see with intention.