Is Your Website 'Visitor Ready'?
by Lee Benson
There are a lot of misconceptions related to website design - the most common one being 'anything goes'.
However, nothing could be further from the truth. A properly designed website that's been planned and tested can mean the difference between failure and success.
If your website is just a mess of HTML code, with no real plan and no real means of easy navigation, then now's the time to start learning HOW you should go about creating your website.
I've created a list of points that you should ALWAYS follow when creating a business website.
* 1) Remember What
Your Website Is For
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This is a key point. Chances are that your business website has been put
on the web to do one thing: Sell your products or services.
So always keep this goal in mind. It's surprising how many website designers seem to forget that their goal is to sell.
A personal website can get away with all the cute little animated gifs, and the multi-colored text, but with a business site, it's a whole new ball game.
So don't overload your site with slow-loading technology, 'cause people just aren't prepared to wait.
* 2) What's All This
HTML Stuff?
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Don't worry, you don't need to be a master HTML programmer to create a
website. But you DO need to know the basics.
There are a lot of good 'What You See Is What You Get' website building programs out there, so shop around and pick one that you feel comfortable with.
Check out http://www.softseek.com and do a search for web building programs. You can download the software for free on a try-before-you-buy evaluation period.
You don't want your website visitors to feel as if they're in the hands of an amateur, so give the right impression by learning the basics of HTML.
* 3) Create An Easy
Navigational System
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Don't make a site that needs a rocket scientist to figure out how to get
from one page to another. Your website should be easy to navigate at all
times.
An important thing to remember is that not all of your visitors will arrive at the main page. So, what options will you give them to navigate your site?
Don't force your website into a linear navigational pattern. By this, I mean don't force people to visit certain links. They should be free to visit any page they want, so remember to provide text or graphical links to every page.
If you're creating a big website with lots of page, a site map or index page wouldn't be a bad idea.
* 4) Give Your Site
A Constant 'Look & Feel'
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When someone clicks on a link to another one of your pages, you want them
to know they're still on the same website.
Therefore, maintain a constant look and feel to your website. This can be as easy as creating a HTML template, and just filling in the blanks for each page.
This way, your visitors soon become aware of how to navigate your website with ease, which your visitors will love you for.
* 5) Fresh Content
Is The Key To Repeat Visitors
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Update your website as often as possible. By constantly updating your
pages, you're giving a reason for visitors to return to your site.
If someone returns to your site, and notices that your pages have been updated, there's a good chance that they'll continue to browse through your site.
If they see your site hasn't been updated since their last visit two months ago, then you can guarantee they'll be gone with the click of a mouse button -=- probably never to return again.
Why not add a 'What's New' section to your website? This way, people can see 'at a glance' exactly what's new.
* 6) Grab Their Attention
FAST!
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Within a few seconds of visiting your website, your visitors need to know
the benefits you'll be providing for them, otherwise they're just likely
to continue surfing somewhere else.
The best way to do this is with your headlines. Near the top of your main pages, add a powerful headline that will catch the attention of the visitor.
If they're interesting, then chances are they'll continue exploring -=- or at least bookmark your site for a later visit.
* 7) Providing Contact
Information Is a MUST!
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It surprises me to see how many websites are missing out their contact
information.
It's vital that you provide it! How can you expect your visitor to trust you into selling your product or service to them, if they don't even know who you are!?
Put up your mailing address, your phone number, fax, email addresses etc -=- The more contact options, the better.
* 8) Do Something
To Capture Your Visitors' Details
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How many times have you let your visitors slip away without knowing who
they are?
The best way to generate repeat visitors and capture their email address is by offering an opt-in subscription to some kind of publication.
What, you mean you don't have your own newsletter? This is a must! Starting your own opt-in mailing list is one of the most powerful marketing concepts ever created.
At the very minimum, you should publish a periodic newsletter to inform visitors of new product updates or website changes.
If you're a beginner when it comes to publishing newsletters, I suggest you start off with a free mailing list provide like OneList at http://www.onelist.com
* 9) Allow Your Visitors
To Provide Feedback
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How do you know if your visitors like your website? How can you improve
your site? What do your visitors want to see from you?
All of these questions and more can by answered by simply providing a feedback form.
Visitors are twice as likely to fill in a feedback form than they are to click on an email link and send you a message.
You don't need to be an expert programmer to provide a feedback form. Free services such as FreedBack at http://www.freedback.com have been set up to offer you a FREE feedback form for your website.
It's easy!
* 10) Most Importantly,
Offer Content That's Worthwhile!
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No matter what traffic building tools you add to your website or what
marketing methods you employ, they're not worth squat if your website
is full of rubbish.
No-one is going to spend their time reading rubbish. Therefore, do everything you can to provide your visitor with worthwhile information.
Even better -=- Make sure you provide something for free. Freebies are a great way to spark up extra interest, so offer what you can.
It is said that at least 50% of your website content needs to be related to providing your visitor with something free.
In fact, my website at http://www.cyberprosper.com offers at least 95% of free content -- and I can tell you that this sure helps your sales.
Resources
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At a conclusion to all of the above, I've compiled a list of useful resources
that will enable you to get a firmer grasp on the idea of web design.
* FREE Internet Marketing
Resource Center -- http://CyberProsper.com
* Great FREE Web Authoring Resources -- http://bignosebird.com
* Useful Web Building Resources -- http://www.mediabuilder.com
* HTML Tutorial for Beginners -- http://www.davesite.com/webstation/html
* FREE Books On Web Design -- http://www.mcp.com
So get out there, and start building your site today!
Article By Lee Benson, http://CyberProsper.com
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