I often get asked by my customers what they need to do to their business web site to improve / develop it. Here are the some tips I have put together on this area. These are just my opinions.
1. Keep the Message Simple
All to often I get web site content that is too wordy and hard to read. You need to write simple well written text. People rarely get beyond the fourth sentence. Use links to expand for further readingas people will stay longer after the first click. Did you get to this sentence?
2. Contact Information
Make sure your contact information is easily accessible. Put your e-mail and phone number at the top of the page. A contact form may work but people are in a hurry and may not take the time if they are looking for a service. Make sure that it is prominent and easy to read. It is different if you are offering an free informational type service (did you get to this sentence?) as people may want to phrase a question in detail using a form.
3. Search Box
If your site is content rich and has lots of depth a search box is essential. If not sure how then use Google as you can integrate the Google search onto your site reletaively easily and saves you working out how to do it. Most CMS platforms have a search box as standard if you are that way inclined.
4. How Much?
This may seem obvious but the last two sites I did for people they had no prices on the site for their product / serviceas the business didn't want to put it on the site. This will not work. Put a price structure there at lease. People want to know a ball park figure. When you ring up a plumber/electrician the second or third question is usually how much. Why should a website differ. If you are offering a free product highlight it.
5. Traffic
You need to know how many hits your site is getting you might as well be on a desert island. Google Analytics does this perfectly. End of story (well the tracking part at least)
6. Good Free Information
You should post information to your site on a regular basis. It needs to be of good quality and worth reading. Good information proves your worth. Read and research in your field and post on it. Oh this is sentence 5...
7. Easy to use....
Just because you can write a bit of HTML/PHP/whatever does mean that site is usable. I am not a usability expert but look here for a good overview of usability guidelines. If this is too detailed think of your favourite web sites - think of why you use them besides the underlying content. Tehre are usually hundreds of web sites looking for your attention on most mainstream topics but some shine above the others. Some simple steps like in the link above can help you achieve a crisper, more accessible and useful site that people will come back to again.
8. No Flash - Popups - Tricks
No flash. IMHO flash is rarely worth the effort. Popups and fancy web tricks that look good once wont look good over time.
9.
1. Keep the Message Simple
All to often I get web site content that is too wordy and hard to read. You need to write simple well written text. People rarely get beyond the fourth sentence. Use links to expand for further readingas people will stay longer after the first click. Did you get to this sentence?
2. Contact Information
Make sure your contact information is easily accessible. Put your e-mail and phone number at the top of the page. A contact form may work but people are in a hurry and may not take the time if they are looking for a service. Make sure that it is prominent and easy to read. It is different if you are offering an free informational type service (did you get to this sentence?) as people may want to phrase a question in detail using a form.
3. Search Box
If your site is content rich and has lots of depth a search box is essential. If not sure how then use Google as you can integrate the Google search onto your site reletaively easily and saves you working out how to do it. Most CMS platforms have a search box as standard if you are that way inclined.
4. How Much?
This may seem obvious but the last two sites I did for people they had no prices on the site for their product / serviceas the business didn't want to put it on the site. This will not work. Put a price structure there at lease. People want to know a ball park figure. When you ring up a plumber/electrician the second or third question is usually how much. Why should a website differ. If you are offering a free product highlight it.
5. Traffic
You need to know how many hits your site is getting you might as well be on a desert island. Google Analytics does this perfectly. End of story (well the tracking part at least)
6. Good Free Information
You should post information to your site on a regular basis. It needs to be of good quality and worth reading. Good information proves your worth. Read and research in your field and post on it. Oh this is sentence 5...
7. Easy to use....
Just because you can write a bit of HTML/PHP/whatever does mean that site is usable. I am not a usability expert but look here for a good overview of usability guidelines. If this is too detailed think of your favourite web sites - think of why you use them besides the underlying content. Tehre are usually hundreds of web sites looking for your attention on most mainstream topics but some shine above the others. Some simple steps like in the link above can help you achieve a crisper, more accessible and useful site that people will come back to again.
8. No Flash - Popups - Tricks
No flash. IMHO flash is rarely worth the effort. Popups and fancy web tricks that look good once wont look good over time.
9.
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