Sunday, January 22, 2006

Developing Your Business Website

A web site does not need high-tech features and graphics to be effective. Some of the most useful sites keep it simple. Focus on the task that the customer is performing or information that the visitor wants. Eye-catching graphics are nice, but they can be expensive to design. Even standard features such as shopping carts require considerable time to create and integrate, and time is money.A simple website that concentrates on the core business and its potential customers can be very effective and the best way to start.

An effective Web site needs the following:
Mission statement or About Us
List of products and services
Contact information for the company and key employees
A link to write an e-mail without having to leave the site

Most of this information can be conveyed in text -- the cheapest and simplest thing to put up on the Web. Text can be changed easily, and almost instantaneously -- helping you avoid expensive designer costs each time you need to update your information.To develop a Web presence, a small company should start small and expand as warranted. Some companies can begin by simply designing a few Web pages that function as an online brochure. The only expenses you'll have are reasonable designer fees and a monthly payment to your Web host.

Optimize your site for search engines by using relavant seach phrases in your text copy. Determine your main search phrases then ask your designer to incorporate that into the titles and meta tags of your site pages. The phrases that your potential visitors will search for may include local and regional words so remember to include those.

When your site is up, keep track of customer reaction and usage to determine when you should expand, and how. Monitor the following:
Number of weekly or monthly e-mails and phone calls resulting from the site
Sales that directly result from Web contacts
Questions about particular sections of the site
Customer references to specific data on the site
Overall company revenue increases after the site isonline.

Expand your site after determining which sections of the site seem to be most interesting to customers, especially those sections that generate questions, comments or actual sales.

Once you design the site, you need to advertise it. Put the URL on all your marketing materials, business cards and letterhead. Work with your Web host to secure the best possible position on Google and other important search engines. And create links with trade association sites and other related sites that can bring you targeted traffic.Unlimited Media offers starter packages for small businesses who want a presence online. Rates are affordable. Full designer support and professional time-tested designs ensure that your site is both attractive and effective. Visit http://www.unlimitedmedia.com/ for information.