Written by Fluid Vision Designs
Between the decision to have a website and the excitement of when it's up and running you will start to realize that you have a lot of work to do.
Website development can be overwhelming, especially if you know nothing about computers, marketing and design. Of course, a good web design service will help you with the computer and design know-how. You can even get marketing help if your website design service offers search engine optimization. But like anything else in business, there are many other aspects that can easily be overlooked.
The following is a list of things to consider when developing your website:
Website organization: A well organized website has logical and easy to access pathways that will take the user from the home page to different areas in your site. Start by creating a flow chart with "home page" as the starting point. From there, create a main menu by determining what main sections you want you website to be divided into. Common main menu sections are: Company Info, Products, Services, Contact information, FAQ, Articles, Upcoming Events etc. You will want to account for the future growth of your business by making sure that your main menu sections cover any future add-ons.
Once you've decided on the main menu sections, brain storm all the information that you want to include in your website (current and future) and then decide which main menu section it falls under. You can create sub categories within sections, keeping in mind the logical path the user must take. For example: If you plan to include articles, think about categorizing your articles so that the user can click on a category to bring up a list of related articles from which to choose. You want to make you website as easy to navigate and use as possible for your user.
Layout and design: What overall look will project the best professional image of you and your company?
Colours and images evoke emotions and create impressions. A good web designer can help suggest colour combinations to achieve your desired effect. Images included in your website can be your own or from stock photography. Avoid using copyrighted material, unless you have acquired permission to do so.
Special features and details include things such as flash elements, special buttons, drop menus etc. Deciding which elements you'd like to include can be fun, but don't go overboard, especially if it will obstruct the user's interaction with your website.
The physical layout of your website balances beauty and function. You want to be able to deliver the message of your website effectively in a way that catches the eye of your user but also not visually overwhelm your user.
Content: This part is often overlooked by first-time website owners, yet, can take up the most time. In fact, developing content can be the one thing that delays the completion of your website. Decide if you or a hired writer will write the content. As with images, avoid using copyrighted material or plagiarizing other's work.
If time is a factor, consider starting with a minimal 1-3 page site that introduces your business and at least gives you a presence on the internet. At the very minimum you should include an executive summary of your business, location, hours of business, prices, contact information, what services or goods you provide etc. Then do updates as you finish more of your content. Consider adding articles of interest related to you products or services. This approach can be beneficial as users like to see that websites are being updated, encouraging repeat visits.
From a marketing point of view, content not only provides information to your users, but it can help optimize your site (that is drive traffic and more users to it) by making it more "visible" to search engines and increasing the chance that it will be linked by other businesses or directories. The more useful information you have on your website, the more users will want to visit and refer it to others.
Other things to consider: Keep in mind that you want your website to facilitate the user to hire your services or buy your products as much as possible. Therefore, you may want to include
- E-mail and downloadable forms
- An online store
- Live online help
- Access to forums, chats and message boards
- A login area for registered clients or members
- Free stuff (such as programs to help the user enjoy their experience more)
Copyright Fluid Vision Designs 2006