For more information on creating a successful website, or to have your website analyzed and evaluated by Naples Web Design Firm, Unique ID Web Design, please visit: http://www.webdesignid.com.
Website Fundamentals
Four Steps to Create a Successful Website
Your Internet strategy begins with your website.
Sites vary greatly on the web. There are sites with little functionality and there are mega-stores with vast amounts of interactive content. No matter what type of site you currently have, or plan to have, there a few basics rules you should remember when evaluating or creating your site:
( 1 ) Usability
You must make sure a visitor to your site is able to find what he or she is looking for quickly and logically. If a visitor is new to your site or unsure what they are looking for, your information must organized in a way that guides them to where you want them to be.
Many new sites, and site owners, make the mistake of trying to jam everything on the first page. Although, theoretically a user could find everything right away, too many buttons, links, images, etc. only adds to your visitors’ confusion and frustration. Break your site and pages into sections with a logical hierarchy; remember users don’t mind searching as long as everything is structured well.
When considering a Web Designer or Web Design Company make sure you choose a firm that is familiar with and follows Section 508 (a set of government mandated standards for accessibility that all sites should follow). Adhering to Section 508 will accommodate more visitors, including the handicapped and visually impaired, and make every visitor’s experience more pleasurable. For more information visit: http://www.section508.gov.
( 2 ) Design
Is your site graphically attractive? Do you have a nice logo with colors that accommodate and accentuate your product or service? Many of your customers’ purchasing decisions (both on your website and in the real world) will be based solely on the look and quality of your site. Your site reflects your services! If your site is poorly designed, visitors will unfairly judge or condemn your product or service. Hire a professional designer.
( 3 ) Content
Nothing is more important than the quality of the content visitors find on your site, both for visitor retention and search engine placement. Is your information useful, interesting and well-written?
A website is like a brick and mortar building, but unlike a typical office it requires little upkeep, maintenance and repair. Therefore, the content and look of your site are all users have to judge the performance and health of your company. Stale, outdated content implies your business is stale or floundering. Fresh content connotes a healthy business. Keep your content up-to date!
Make sure you routinely update your site with fresh articles, news, events, etc. Visitors to your site will be impressed with an actively updated site. If you are active in your community, let your visitors know, create a section for community events and links, and invite your visitors to participate.
Finally, make sure your content always includes a Call to Action. You need your visitors to take action, and you must invite them to do so. By including a free special report, downloadable brochure or e-newsletter signup form your visitors are more likely to return, contact you and become customers.
( 4 ) Standards & Search Engines
Make sure the web firm you choose creates XHTML certified, CSS based sites. By adhering to strict web standards your site is guaranteed to do better in search engines, will load faster, be more accessible and easier to update, than a similarly created site that doesn’t adhere to standards.
Zachary Katkin is the founder of Unique ID Web Design. Zach can be contacted via the company’s web site at http://www.webdesignid.com
For more information on creating a successful website, or to have your website analyzed and evaluated by Naples Web Design Firm, Unique ID Web Design, please visit: http://www.webdesignid.com.
For general information on optimizing and tweaking your web site for visitors, search engines, traffic conversion, etc. please feel free to visit my blog at: http://www.thenapkin.com. Thenapkin features valuable information on everything web and tech related.
