Just as website can be grouped in to categories so can the users or the "audience". The design of a website's interface is influenced significantly by its audience as certain audiences may have specific needs. Regardless of interface implementation consistency is a design issue that must be addressed throughout the entire site. It is necessary from the early design stages to be aware of your audience so as be prepared to produce a website for their needs.
Defining at whom your website will be aimed is a crucial stage in any web design project as failure in this area could result in the wrong people getting the wrong information. This audience defining stage is known as "market segmentation" and can be accomplished by considering several factors.