Essential,Elements,For,Success DIY 10 Essential Elements For a Successful Website
When starting a new work at home business it is very easy to become consumed by it. We spend so much time trying to get the business up and running that we may end up becoming burned out and lose our motivation. There is so much to learn and Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;mso-style-noshow:yes;mso-style-parent:"";mso-padding-alt:0in
Knowing Your Potential ClienteleAs with any business venture you must have some insight into exactly who your customers are is vital. Not only do you need to gear your products and marketing to these customers but the design, navigation and functionality of the website should be tailored to that market's tastes. Most website owners don't realize it at first but your website may just become the most important marketing tool you will ever invest in. It's presentation, color, flow and content are as important as any TV, Print or Radio ad you will ever invest in. In todays world your website is your customers view into your business and a poorly laid out website may result in a lack of confidence by them. This is especially true in any e-commerce website. With all the stories the general public hears about on-line rip offs they need to feel 100% confident they can type their credit card numbers into your order form and not have to worry about it.Ten Essential ElementsAny website today needs certain features to allow their customers the best experience possible. Over the years we have added to the list to bring it up to what we now consider the ten essential elements every website should have:1. A website search tool - if they want it NOW they will search, not browse.2. A website map - again if they get lost this is the first place they will go.3. Easy to read content - Don't use color combinations that are rough on the eyes. If your information is long provide a easy access printer friendly version.4. Fast loading pages - NO customer will wait around for 5 minutes to see your website. Remember over 50% of the world is still on a 56k modem, in 2004!5. A Privacy Statement - Any website that collects information (even email addresses) needs this.6. Easy Navigation - surfers don't have the time to try to figure out your neat navigation system. Keep it simple!7. Accessibility Statement - Let those who are disabled know that you care about them as customers too.8. Easy to Access contact information - If they have a problem with the site or an order make it easy for them to be able to contact you.9. Flow of design throughout the site - Don't change the page design from page to page. One intro page design and then a consistent inner page design is fine but once in your site make sure everything stays in the same place.10. NO, I REPEAT, NO pop ups! - These have become synonymous with ads, spy ware, viruses and porn sites. Do anything you can to avoid them.OK, so #10 isn't a do, it's a don't but we really felt it had to be on the list. Many of the items on this list will not only create a better experience for your clients but they will also increase your accessibility to any disabled customer and will help get your website ranked higher in the search engines. All in all it just makes good business sense. Article Tags: Essential Elements, Page Design
Essential,Elements,For,Success