Guest Author - Meg Meyer
As you are reading this article, I will assume you already have rudimentary knowledge of how to surf the web, load a webpage, and scroll through text. You're ahead of many of my clients. Truly.
Continuing with the theme started in Internet Marketing Overview 1 & 2, I'll now share with you a few specifics of smart website design for small businesses.
In the modern era, it is essential for most businesses to have a website. Even small, one-person businesses, such as independent dog walkers and even your neighborhood babysitter likely have a presence on the web. Do not let that, or the scams and scare tactics keep you away from the millions of potential customers surfing the net and looking for just what you have to offer.
There are a few things you will learn as you go along, and a few quick cheats to help you until you get there. Lucky for you, I started learning HTML (The basic markup language of the internet.) in the early 90's and have taught countless clients how to use the internet to their advantage. Seriously, I used to coach my clients out of needing me on a regular basis.
Your first website can start with . And then there's a bunch of other stuff that goes in between!
The DIY set will want to get a primer on HTML markup language, such as the free ones you can link to from my site - Centerofmuse.com. Others will want to hire a website designer and maybe a graphic designer. (We do that too.) Another free or low-cost option is to hire a design student that lives or goes to school near you. Some small businesses, mine included, will utilize a "Blog" - a web log - as a dynamic website. (Again, that's what mine is, I'll go further in depth in an upcoming article.)
S.E.O. and the case of the missing visitors.
Have a website already live, but no visitors? Chances are your S.E.O. needs some tweaking. S.E.O. stands for Search Engine Optimization. This should receive a good bit of your attention, as it effects how you place in search engines and the "natural" traffic that comes to your homepage.
This is good, like publicity, because you don't pay for it, unlike advertising. People do a search and your website address, or domain, show up in the results, and they click to arrive at your site.
Navigation
When designing your business website, pay attention to "user experience." Is the navigation "intuitive?" That means, would someone other than you easily be able to find what they are looking for in just a few, obvious clicks?
Whether you use hyper-links or buttons, make sure the choices are simple for your end-user.
Graphic Design
Graphic Designers and Website Designers often butt heads at this stage of the process. Graphic designers want the site to be aesthetically pleasing with impressive images, while Website Designers who work with code want the site to download quickly.
Who's right?
Yes.
Graphic design is important to keep the user's interest, but a quick download time is important to get the user interested in the first place. Web surfers are a fickle bunch. If you don't catch their attention in seconds, they'll surf away to the next option on their search engine results list.
Well there you have it - a few things for you to think about when creating this most essential bit of internet marketing. There are many niche markets out there, just waiting to find what you've got to sell. Really.
It's kind of like "Field of Dreams" meets the Las Vegas strip. "If you build it, they will come," but with all the flashing lights and noise blaring at the visitor, it's hard for them to see you. With the right knowledge or the right help, you can help level the playing field and help guests focus on what you've got to offer.
