Here are some things to consider at the beginning of your website design process:
1. Who is your target audience? (interests, ages, professions, etc.)
2. What do you like / dislike about your competitors' websites? Visiting their sites can also help to get ideas about what content to include.
3. Do you want your website to match the look of your current marketing materials or complement them with a new look?
The following is a list of items you may want to include in your website:
Your Company Logo: If you have a logo you should include it on your website.
Forms: Forms allow you to request specific information from your visitors. This method helps to ensure that you obtain the type of contact information you want, the visitor's email address and any other information you may need. This information can be returned to you in the form of a simple email.
FAQ's: Frequently Asked Questions: Preparing and including a "Frequently Asked Questions" page enhances both user-friendliness and search-engine friendliness. Visitors go to this page looking for quick answers to common questions regarding your services.
Helpful Information: A website should be informative and interactive. Downloadable documents are a very effective way to inform, engage and boost search engine results. These documents could include service or product related "How-To" and Resource Information, Coupons, Gift Certificates, product instructions, etc.
Links: Help your visitors by providing links to service or product related informational sites. These links will add to your site's interactivity and will enhance your search engine placement. You could use links to industry associations, organizations, and anything else you think your visitors may be interested in.
Guarantee: A guarantee is a great way to increase consumer confidence. Visitors will choose to do business with a company that provides a guarantee over a company which does not offer one.
Testimonials: Be sure to collect and save positive feedback from your previous customers! Providing potential clients with positive feedback from existing clients is another great way to help build confidence in your company and its services.
Terms and Conditions: Your terms and conditions of sale should be included on your website.
Content Suggestions: You may also want to include any or all of the following content suggestions on your website.
Your Company Contact Information. Provide a way for visitors to respond to you and include your: Business name, Address, Phone / fax numbers, email address (es) and Business hours where applicable.
Your Company's Background Information: Including an "About Us" webpage on your site has a double advantage. Search engines look favorably upon sites with an About Us page and so do potential clients. About us pages contain information about the company, its history, staff, etc. Visitors can get a glimpse into who you are and why they should choose you.
Services: Provide your visitors with a detailed description of the services you offer. This can be done using a list format, paragraph format or combination of both.
Images: Images can help your visitors get to know you, your location, help emphasize a point, illustrate a product or service and they can contribute to the "feel" of a site as well.
Utilizing the techniques described above should get you well on your way to building an effective website. Do not forget to research search engine optimization and how should you structure your site's content / text to get the best ranking for your website!
