1. Clearly define what you wish to achieve
What are your goals and what does your site need to achieve? What is its purpose? Branding, marketing, lead generator, sales channel Integrate online with offline. Know your audience and who they are? What do they want? They want a useful website and useful information, friendliness, efficiency, good service.
2. Don't be pushed around
Don't let marketing people, arty web designers push you into "bleeding edge" web design. Ask yourself the question does it add to my sites functionality? Does it make it easier for your customers?
3. Make the most of your cyber world real estate
Don't - Waste it with filler, splash pages, unnecessary content or welcome messages. Do - State clearly your company's point of difference
Important links upfront, include search, minimise use of animation or scrolling.
4. Establish your credibility
You only have one chance to make ANY kind of impression and provide easy to find products, an easy way to buy or contact information. Give visitors a sense of your credibility that you are a trustworthy and a legitimate operation.
5. Take ownership
Make sure you assign someone to take ownership of your site! Keep it updated and fresh not just for your customers but for the search engines. Answer emails promptly.
6. Keep it simple
Don't use in-house terms or confusing language. You'd be amazed at how much jargon you use when speaking about your business. Get your we writing checked by a professional.
7. Talk to your visitors
Establish a way for people to sign up for email newsletters. Keep in touch with customers, but only when you have something to say.
8. Give it personality
People love to know they are dealing with real people. Tailor the tone. If appropriate, write your content in a personal manor.
9. Tell people about your website
Include the URL on every piece of paper communication put it on brochures, letterheads, business cards, pens...
10. Continual Improvement
Don't let your site stagnate. Just like you as a business owner, a website requires continual improvements to keep it up to date so it can be as successful as possible. Keep an eye on competition. Test and measure AND test and measure after testing and measuring. Don't do new stuff, just because it's new.
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Rob Williams is CEO of www.datumconnect.co.nz which creates and completes web design and web promotion for SME. Click on our website now to learn more.
