Anyone Can Make A WebSite - That Doesn't Mean Anyone Can Find It!

10 Secrets for Website Design:

1. CHANGE IS GOOD!
   I know you've heard it before - "A web site is never really finished." Well, those are words to live by. You must continually add to your site, reread it, and make it better, update it often. Repeat visitors are generated by a changing website. Try adding a page or updating content of existing pages once a week.

    

2. WEB COPY
   1. Benefits v. Features
      
      • A benefit of your product is associated with the emotion that it will conjure up in your potential customer.
      • A feature of your product is what your product does.

       I've heard a lot of marketing experts say that you should stress the benefits of your product. By stressing the benefits you are playing on the emotions of your potential buyer. You are trying to hook them - to get them to buy - because your product satisfies their most basic needs. For instance, they need your product because it's going to make them look and feel better about themselves.

      However, also realize that the internet is not like any other sales medium that you've dealt with in the past. On the internet, people have time to peruse your site. They have time to not only be "hooked" by the benefits, but they really want to know about the features.

      So - on your home page - play a little with their emotions - but then - get to the point of the subject and barrage them with the features of your product! If you don't do this - they are going to move on to another site which more fully explains their products.

       

   2. Writing Strategies
      Visitors must have the ability to scan down the page and find what they want quickly. Try the following techniques:

       

      • Keep paragraphs limited to 2-4 sentences.
      • Use Headings
      • Use Lists
      • Use Bolds
      • Write it the way you would say it.

    

3. 1 PICTURE = 1,000 Words...Almost
   I wasn't gonna say it but, "A picture is worth a thousand... It's true! If you have pictures of your product - include them. Download time must be considered - but if you create your "img src" tags correctly - including the height and width - the pictures will load after the text and people can read while they're waiting for the pictures to download.  People love pictures!
   

    

4. GRAPHICS
   Graphics can do good things for your site - but consider them very, very carefully.

    

   1. Positives
      
      • Graphics can create consistency - allowing your visitors to know they are at your site on every page.
      • Graphics can aid in navigation - a button/background theme set will create consistency and help your visitors find all of your pages.
      • Graphics can give your site a professional appearance which will help your credibility.

       

   2. Negatives
      
      • Graphics can annoy or confuse people - loud and flashy animation make it difficult to read text.
      • Graphics can slow your download time.
      • Graphics can give the wrong message - do your graphics go with your products?

    

5. NAVIGATION
   Navigation is how your visitors get around. If your visitors cannot find their way around - they are undoubtedly going to leave! Try these strategies:

    

   • Your main directory should have a maximum of 8 links.
   • Organize your site in a hierarchical fashion - use a main directory and subdirectories if you need to.
   • Don't underline text - unless it is a link.
   • If you're creative - use graphics to make a "navigational bar" or button links.
   • Layout your navigation on paper before implementing it on the web.

    

6. CREDIBILITY
   Your credibility is of utmost importance when you design your site. Credibility can be achieved in several ways - here is a list:

    

   • Testimonials
   • Guarantee or Warranty
   • Professional Graphics and Design
   • Secure Credit Card Processing
   • Your Own Domain Name
   • Complete Contact Information
   • A Privacy Statement

    

7. PROMOTION
   If you remember that search engines are not the end-all-be-all, you will do just fine. Find several ways to promote your site - strategies that work for your particular business. Here are a few strategies that have been particularly successful for us:

    

   • Reciprocal Links
   • Online Directories
   • Your Own Newsletter
   • Post on Discussion Lists using a Signature File

    

8. MAKE CONTACT
   Get out there and start talking to people. You never know when a contact will either turn into a customer or a great business associate who can help you promote your site. Here are ways to make contact:

    

   • Your Own Newsletter
   • Discussion lists and sites which offer discussion groups.
   • Email - if you see a website you like - contact the webmaster and tell him why you like it.
   • Break the ice by asking advice!

    

9. ORGANIZATION
   Develop a task list - either a daily list or a weekly list - and stick to it like glue. Start to write everything down - keep track of which directories or search engines you've submitted to, keep track of your contacts, keep track of changes to your website and when you need to implement new changes. Did I say, "Keep track?"

    

10. RESEARCH
    The Web changes fast, technology changes fast, keep pace with the developments in the following ways:

     

    • Subscribe to Newsletters
    • Visit News Sites
    • Visit sites which give out free advice on web design and/or promotion.
    • Buy some good books on HTML, CGI, Javascript, and Internet Marketing
    Big U Media Designs Web Sites to generate traffic.  Just because a website is made does not mean it can deliver traffic.  Without traffic there will be no sales.

Big U Media will examine your goals and consult with you to develop a targeted web design that will deliver! Maybe a CMS or Content Management System is best for you. We can do that too!

Big U Media is a full service advertising & marketing company.  Specializing in Audio/Video production and installation.  Ad/logo design and printing.  Web Design with Paid Search Engine Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.  Digital Signage sales, service and installation.  Electronic Whiteboard (Smartboard) sales, service and Installation.