Web Site Tip of the Month

This Month's Tip - A New Year, A Better Website

Maybe in 2007 your website performed really well. You may have tried out some things and they worked out great. On the other hand, maybe you didn't get everything out of your website that you were hoping. Maybe you didn't have time to give it a lot of thought and it just sat there for most of the year. Well, 2007 is gone and instead of taking a look back, let's take a look ahead.

More specifically, let's take a look at your website. It's time to take inventory on your website

Have You Seen Me Lately?

When was the last time you looked around your website? Last week? Last month? More? Even if it was yesterday, you should definitely do it now. And while you're looking, try to think like a customer who knows nothing about your business. What kind of questions would you have? Questions like:

• What kind?
• How many
• How large?
• How much?
• and most importantly, Why you?

Does your site answer them? A good website can help you and your customers by answering all those basic questions up front. That saves time for both you and your customers.

I Get Around

And while your wandering around in your website, ask yourself, "Is it easy to find the information I need". Here, it would be helpful to have a friend or family member who is not as knowledgeable about your business try to find their way around. Is it confusing? Do they end up going 'round in circles and giving up in frustration?

There could be different reasons for having trouble finding information. Does your site require the user to be knowledgeable about your product. You may need to include more explanations to help the novice. Is the site laid out in a way that makes sense to someone who uses the product or service rather than someone who provides or make the product/service. Your customers might be looking for information based on what the product does rather than its official name.

Your navigation is also very important. Is your navigation easy to find and always in the same place? Is it clearly marked? Get users get to any department from any page using that navigation?

Where Are You?

Is your business phone number and address prominently displayed on every page of your site? Are there directions to your business or even a map (with a link to Mapquest or Google Maps)? Do you have a way for customers to contact you such as a form or an email link?

What's New?

Did you add new products or services during the last year? Is that information on your website? Why not?

Marketers have long known the power of words like "new" and "improved". If you have something new to offer, capitalize on it. Let your customers know. And don't just tell them you have a shiny, new product or great additional service; show them a picture. Then, let them know all the wonderful features and why it's so much better than what anyone else if offering. People on the web are looking for enough information to make decisions. Give them enough to decide on you.

These questions only cover the very basics of what your website should have. You can do so much more. So why don't you?

Remember, on the web, your web site is you

Download our Web Design & Hosting Brochure (pdf)