Although many sources claim
that "anyone" can make a website; designing and
implementing a successful business website is not that easy.
Just as in any business, proper pre-planning is essential
to ensure that your online "storefront" coordinates
effectively with your existing marketing plans.
Here are some tips to help get you started in planning and
implementing your "virtual storefront" or home
online.
1) Gather information about your business:
Do some planning ahead before you meet with your web designer.
Have pertinent information about your products and services
ready for discussion. Bring color copies of your letterhead,
business card and logo for scanning or supply the graphics
file on disk, pictures of the product if you have them,
brochures, technical data, editorials, advertisements and
anything else that may convey a particular theme or style
of writing. Your website is an extension of your business
and should be easily recognizable.
2) Do some research and choose a theme:
Prospective customers who visit your website are looking
for information about a particular product or service.
The color scheme and images on your site should be appropriate
to your type of business so that a visitor knows they are
at the right place. Is your website going to be an information
source, or a means to generate sales? Can they buy your
product online or will they contact you to complete the
transaction? Do you want a clean professional look or something
fun and colorful? Do some research on the internet and
look for sites selling similar products to yours. What
layout appeals to you. How have they presented their product.
Can you do it better?
3) Professional web design or homegrown:
Your website is your face on the internet so it is important
to make a good first impression. A "homegrown" site
with slow loading graphics, ornate background and text
that is hard to read will more likely send a prospective
customer back to the search engine rather than inspire
a purchase. A professional web designer can create a "virtual
storefront" which is pleasing to the eye, fast loading
and informative. You can plan to do your own updates and
maintenance but make sure your site is designed by a professional.
4) Choose your website designer carefully:
This phase of your project can mean the difference between
success and failure. There are several things to look for
in a web professional. A good web designer is a "team
player". He should be willing to learn about your
products and services and be receptive to your comments
and ideas. YOU are the one who knows your business best.
Your web professional should have a website (own domain,
not a free one) with a portfolio or links to previous projects
and websites for you to look at so you can judge the quality
of his work. Your website designer should be willing to
spend time consulting with you about your website and be
able to give you an approximate quote or cost estimate
based on the preliminary plan. You may want to get some
information in writing including who owns the copyright
to the site and how maintenance and updates will be incorporated
and billed.
5) Make a long term plan, don't dabble:
One of the biggest mistakes, would be "net-preneurs" make
is to "try the internet", by putting up a sample
or trial page. Don't be a "day-trader" with your
business, plan to settle in for the long haul. Financial
advisors will tell you to put your money in long term stocks
and deposits and watch it grow steadily but surely. The same
can be said for an internet business. It takes time for the
search engines to list your site. It takes time for all your
advertising and promotional efforts to start gaining momentum
resulting in increasing hits and more sales. When you put
up a "sample site", you are showing the world that
you don't really think it will work. No businessman would
open a new store with the shelves half empty. Plan to go
online with a full storefront. If you want to have customers
buy your product online, you should be able to accept credit
cards online securely. Have a maintenance and update plan
in place before you start and make sure you commit to it.
We hope that the information included on this page will
be helpful to you as you plan to take your business online.
Our final word - don't go online until you are ready and
when you do, take it seriously and plan to succeed.
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