Building a website today isn’t just about picking a pretty design or choosing the right colors.
It’s about strategy.
It’s about knowing your audience.
And more than ever, it’s about building a site that works with modern technology—especially as AI continues to reshape how customers find and engage with businesses.
That’s where ALCHEMY comes in.
What Is ALCHEMY?
ALCHEMY is a simple, seven-step planning framework that helps small business owners create websites that are clear, goal-driven, and future-ready.
It’s not a software tool. It’s not tied to any one platform. Instead, it’s a thinking framework—a way to organize your ideas and structure your website with purpose.
If you’re using a website builder like Zibster (which makes designing and launching a website easy), ALCHEMY helps make sure the foundation is strong before you start building.
Why Planning Matters (Especially Now)
In today’s fast-moving digital world, many websites struggle because they’re built in a rush, without a plan. Business owners jump into design or copywriting without:
- Defining who the site is for
- Setting goals for what the site should achieve
- Structuring pages to support real user behavior
The result?
A site that looks nice… but doesn’t convert. Or grow with you.
Worse, new technologies like AI, voice search, and algorithmic content discovery are changing how people make decisions. A smart plan helps you stay ahead of those changes.
The ALCHEMY Website Planning Framework (Step-by-Step)
Here’s how to use ALCHEMY to get your next website—or website redesign—off to a powerful start.
🅰️ A – Audience Research
Who is your website for?
Think in terms of real people. Identify 2–3 types of customers you want to attract. What are they struggling with? What do they want to solve?
Example: “We help busy homeowners who want reliable lawn care without playing phone tag.”
🔍 L – Learning
What’s already working—and what’s not?
Audit your current site, if you have one. Check traffic patterns. Look at your competitors. Learn from what’s out there.
Example: “Our contact page gets views, but the form is too long. Competitors use short, friendly forms with instant replies.”
🎯 C – Clarify Aim
What do you want your website to do—specifically?
Vague goals like “look better” or “get more business” won’t help. Get clear and measurable.
Example: “We want to increase consultation bookings by 20% within 3 months.”
🧭 H – Hierarchy
How should people move through your site?
Plan the flow of pages. What’s the journey from landing on your homepage to taking action?
Example: Homepage → Services → Testimonials → Book Now.
✅ E – Essential Features
What features matter most? What can wait?
Cut the fluff. Focus on what supports your goal.
Example: “We’ll include a simple pricing chart, a clear CTA, and live chat. We’ll skip the blog for now.”
🗺️ M – Mapping
Plan each page with a purpose.
For every page, ask: what’s the goal? What content needs to be there? What action do we want the visitor to take?
Example: Services Page → “List 3 tiers, show value, end with ‘Book Now’ button.”
📦 Y – Yield
Put it all together into a website game plan.
Now you have a strategic outline—who you’re speaking to, what you want them to do, and how the site supports that journey.
Example: Your finished plan outlines 5 pages, with goals, page sections, and content needs. You’re ready to build in Zibster.
How This Helps You in an AI-Driven World
AI is changing how people research, compare, and make buying decisions. But one thing hasn’t changed: you still need a clear, user-focused website.
By using the ALCHEMY framework, you’re:
- Creating structure for tools like ChatGPT or voice search to understand your site
- Writing with clarity and intention, which AI loves
- Building around how real people (not just algorithms) make decisions
Platforms like Zibster help you execute quickly and beautifully. ALCHEMY helps you plan wisely.
Think Before You Build
Don’t waste time guessing what to include on your website. Don’t chase the newest trend or AI tool before you know what your site needs to do.
With a smart plan in place, you’ll build faster, with fewer edits—and better results.
Need help putting your plan into action with Zibster? Let’s talk. We’re here to support you every step of the way.
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