Another one for the “seems obvious” category, but pay attention. If you haven’t visited, used and scrutinized your competitors’ sites, then you are missing a huge opportunity. You should be aware of what other organizations in your industry are doing, what works for them and what doesn’t.
Chances are the world is going to discover your site through the search engines. Even customers who know your site’s address may still go to search engines to reach the site. If your site is search friendly you’ll have a better chance of being found.
Having a website is more of a process than a project and even when you’re done, you’re never really done. If you want to be successful, think of your website like your new child. You need to nurture it and watch it change.
Starting with the basics will go a long way toward reaching your goal. One often overlooked detail includes making sure your web forms are easy to use. Decide the purpose of your form then decide the minimal amount of information that you need from someone who is using that form.
Whether you run an informational, service oriented or ecommerce website, you’re doing it for a reason. Define that reason and then prompt your visitors to take action. A good website needs a purpose, whether it’s to sign up for a newsletter, buy a product, request more information or refer a friend.
Sometimes things seem so common as to be perfectly invisible. We get lost in the power of our creativity and go off on a tangent or two and lose sight of the prize. If you want people to read and explore your website, you must make it easy for them to find their way around.
Unless you are a huge multinational brand recognized on sight by an iguana, then your home page should clearly state the purpose of your organization. You can offer details later, but a visitor should never have to click around to figure out what your company does.
Information should be distributed over an appropriate number of clearly defined and well-organized pages. Too much information concentrated in too small a space is just as detrimental to a visitor’s experience on your site as too little information.
People who visit your site want information about your products and services. A content-rich site gives visitors the opportunity to read more extensively about your organization and learn something that may positively influence them.
A good hosting program should include search engine specific features, disaster recovery plans, adequate security and protection from threats, and be customized around your business needs.
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