Here are some tips
that we use to create your professional website:
1. Mind the basics. A visitor should be able to tell what your
business does right from your main web page. Most web surfers don't
have much patience, so you have only a few seconds to make a good
impression. Keep your site updated regularly with new content,
products and information, and your customers will have a reason to
stick around as well as come back later. Proofread your entire
website to catch spelling and grammatical errors before your
customers do. And make sure your contact information is easily
accessible.
2. Keep your site structure well organized. Be sure your website
navigation is clear, simple and consistent from page to page.
Overall, page sizes should be reasonably compact and blocks of text
streamlined to a manageable size. Try to place the most important
information toward the top of the page so that you minimize the
amount of scrolling your customers need to do to view important
content or product information. In particular, watch your graphics
placement, and avoid horizontal scrolling--it's an annoyance that
doesn't generally sit well with online audiences. A site map or
search function can also be a handy tool to help visitors locate the
exact content they're looking for, especially for large, elaborate
websites. Good site structure translates into ease of use and
satisfied customers who will want to return to your website.
3. Don't chase visitors away with long, unnecessary Flash
presentations and splash pages. If your customers have to spend too
much time trying to figure out how to stop your Flash presentation
so they can get through to the "meat" of your site, they'll be gone,
most likely never to return. Elaborate web design can slow down the
user experience and be a turnoff for potential customers. Keep the
look of your website clean, and always consider the impression
you're making on a first-time visitor. Do you really want them
waiting around for a page to load or frantically reaching to turn
down their speakers? On a more basic level, be aware of the size of
your graphics files. Keep them slimmed down so they'll load fast.
4. Regularly change your site's content to bring visitors back again
and again. There are plenty of ways to get new content without
having to write it all yourself. For one thing, you may have
visitors who would enjoy contributing occasional articles, just for
the thrill of seeing their names in virtual print. Put a link on
your site asking for content. Also, if you see an article you like
somewhere else on the internet, you may be able to get permission to
reprint it--contact the site to see if they'd allow you to republish
the article on your site. And as simple as it sounds, many web
visitors appreciate sites that offer a "tip of the day" and visit
them on a daily basis, often in the morning, to glean the day's tip.
To get started, you don't have to come up with 365 of them; instead
work on one month's set of tips. Then, stay one month ahead as the
year progresses.
5. Go to a professional when you need to. Most busy entrepreneurs
don't have the time or expertise to build and maintain an elaborate
website. For simpler sites, eProImage can be a quick and painless
way to get up and running on the web. If your needs are more
complex, it may be a good idea to check in with a designer who can
specifically tailor a site to fit your business and your budget.
eProImage, for example, has professional web designers on staff to
build your business site to meet your specific needs. A service like
that is not only very affordable, but can also get your site up
quickly while providing the added benefit of making changes whenever
you'd like.
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If you're really
serious about the success of your business, launching a website is
probably one of the most critical moves you can make. Every business
needs one. Every retailer, restaurant, accountant, consultant, jewelry
designer and auto repair shop needs to be available on the internet
today--it's where your customers expect to find you.
When it comes to the internet, your website is your front
door, your waiting room, your store and your office. The impression you
make with a clean, professional looking and functional website will
carry over to your business dealings with customers and clients. A
little common sense and care can go a long way.
Try to view your site from a user's perspective, and
don't be afraid to get feedback on improving the web experience.
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