Getting Your Business Online

When planning your website it's important to think about what you want to achieve - begin with the end in mind to quote the often quoted Stephen Covey.

If all you want is effectively an online brochure to which you will send contacts and clients this is probably the simplest of all sites to construct. You don't want the site to do any of the work for you; you simply want a site because you think you ought to have one and you are hoping it will save you having to send out brochures.

However, perhaps you need more? Perhaps you want your website to earn its keep? Are you hoping that the website will attract more business for you? Business you might never have reached if you had not had a web presence? If that's the case you'll need a site that is fully optimised for the search engines. This will involve keyword research, content production and possibly even paid advertising campaigns.

On top of this you need to consider whether you will actually be selling goods and services from your site (Think Amazon here). If so, you'll need a shopping cart and a payment processor.

I won't go on, you'll have gotten the idea. It is so important that you are absolutely clear about what you want to achieve before you start as this will save you disappointment later on.

So, what sort of website do you want for your business?

It is so easy, when working on the design for your website, to create something which appeals to you and, dare I say it, you alone.

You are building a website to attract and please your clients and prospective customers - without them, you have no business.

It's important to spend some time researching appropriate colours, text style, use of images and writing level to ensure that the site you produce is perfect ....... for your customers!

There are too many sites on the internet with clever graphics (which can take an age to download), migraine inducing colour schemes and inappropriate or no content. If you want your site to stand out from the crowd, make sure it does so for all the right reasons.