they can't afford a professionally designed
Web site and that simply is not true. While the old adage, "you
get what you pay for" is never more true than when applied to
Web site design, having a professional web designer do the work for
you is money well spent. A well-designed Web site can bring you a
many-fold return on your investment. You can't say that about too
many other collaterals. While it is best to leave Web site design
and maintenance to the experts, it is up to you (or someone considered
a subject matter expert within our company) to provide the designer
with the content (text and photographs) that best conveys your company's
message to your customers. A Web site, no matter how well designed,
is meaningless if it lacks the content required to interest customers
in the products you sell or services you provide. Here's are a few
questions that, once answered, will help ensure that your Web site's
message is as appealing as its design. Go over these points with the
designer before the design process begins as the answers will help
determine the direction your Web site's design should take.
What Is The Purpose Of Your Web Site? Most business Web sites have
two purposes: (1) to educate the consumer and, (2) to sell them products
or services. If you sell shoes, for example, the purpose of your Web
site is to educate potential customers on the quality and durability
of your shoes and as a result, to sell them shoes. If you paint houses
the purpose of your Web site is to educate home owners on why your
services are superior to other painters and sell them on hiring you
to paint their house. By defining the purpose of your Web site you
will give the designer the information required to create a Web site
that best conveys that purpose to your target audience.Who Is My Target
Audience? Your target audience consists of those folks you want to
attract to your Web site: potential and current customers, future
and current employees, possible investors, etc. Anyone who might be
interested in your company and its products or services is a member
of your target audience.
Correctly identifying your target audience is vital since your Web
site should be designed specifically to appeal to your target audience.Put
yourself in their shoes (or in front of their computers). Imagine
your Web site through their eyes. If you were visiting a Web site
such as yours what would you expect to find and what would you be
disappointed not to find? Identify your target audience, then have
your Web site designed to fulfill their needs and surpass their xpectations.What
Content Should My Web Site Feature? Your Web site content should be
driven by the nature of your business. If you're a real estate agent,
your site should feature photographs of homes you have for sale and
information on buying and selling a home. If you own an auto body
shop, your site might feature before and after photographs of cars
that you have repaired. Remember to determine the purpose of your
site, then develop the content to serve that purpose.
What's My Competition Doing? The last question you should ask is one
of the most important: What is your competition doing on the Web?
Do a Google search for similar businesses and click around their Web
sites. How are their Web sites designed? What message are they trying
to convey? Are they doing a good job of conveying that message and
as a result, selling products? What do you like about their Web sites?
What don't you like? Make note of the things you like and the things
you hate, then share your findings with your site designer. Remember,
you're not stealing trade secrets here. You're just borrowing ideas.Here's
to your success.Tim Knox About the Author:Tim serves as the president
and CEO of three successful technology companies and is the founder
of DropshipWholesale.net, an online organization dedicated to the
success of online and eBay entrepreneurs. Related Links: http://www.prosperityandprofits.comhttp://www.smallbusinessqa.com
http://www.dropshipwholesale.net