Building Professional Websites

If you have a web site that looks and feels like it was thrown together by an amateur then that is exactly the impression you are giving to your visitors. But not being a whizz at web design or HTML is not an excuse for having a site that looks dreadful.

There are some important considerations in helping you realize your goals for having a web presence. If you are viewing this page and we have not yet discussed some of the things listed here, we will need to talk. It will help make your web presence successful.

If you have not thought about all these areas, don't let this list intimidate you. I want to help you make the right decisions. I can guide you through even if you know absolutely nothing about the web.

:: What is your reason for being on the web? What is your primary goal?

Why will someone visit your site? What tasks should they be able to perform while they are on your site (e.g. ordering from you, getting news and info, downloading, etc.)? I want to help you make it fun and useful, make people want to visit.

Quite often, websites are thought of strictly from a marketing perspective. Consider the convenience it might provide to your customers, ways it can make your sales force more effective, use it as a reference tool for employees, etc. There are many ways you can benefit from a website.

Have you registered a domain name? Do you have someone to host the site? Click here for explanations of these terms.

:: Who are you making this site for? What is you target audience?

Your site needs to compliment your current marketing. I want to know about other things you are doing; catalogs, flyers, radio ads, yellow pages, etc. Your website and your current advertising will be a valuable asset to each other.

If you surf the web, are there other sites that you like? Why do you like these sites? Are there features that you feel could benefit your site?

Keep updating in mind. Most variables are no problem, but if there are any changes coming up soon, like new products and services, acquisition of another company, or anything that alters "business as usual" that you are aware of, this information could be useful in planning an open ended site.

Here's some tips...

1) Use a template.

If you are really no good at putting web pages together, buy a ready made template. These days you can buy a package of templates for as little as $30 for 500 ready made, good looking, professional web sites. Pick one, load it up into any web page editor (including the FREE netscape composer), and put your text in.

If you didn't find any template that satisfies you, you can send your request for a web site design to me.

2) Keep it simple.
Some of the best looking web sites are SIMPLE in design. A friend of mine runs the site "The Wise Marketer". His site is as simple as they come, but looks professional and is considered such since his services sell for big money. http://www.thewisemarketer.com

3) Don't many (or any) animated gifs or flashy menu systems.
We've all seen sites that quite frankly make us sea-sick when we visit them. Avoid things that move. They should be used sparingly at most for emphasis only. Also many of those things are large files which take too long to load.

4) Test your site on SLOW connections.
If you've kept it simple there will be no problem. But a good rule of thumb is that your first page MUST load in under 30 seconds on a slow web connection or you're likely to lose the visitor. People are less patient these days and the close button is easy to reach!

5) If you really can't manage to use a template or do something good looking on your own - hire someone. There are designers who will work cheap and are good. A bad looking site is going to lose you business. It's better to invest into it and get more sales and bigger profits.

Next Article: Choosing perfect color scheme