Before you jump into spending coutnless hours on designing and publishing your website, or spending hundreds on having it done by anyone else you should plan out your full design (or structure). This is very important so that when it comes time to do this long-lasting project you will be well prepared.
Layout the Structure of your website. The basics to getting your website going is to know what type of pages your going to have on your website. These pages can be more complex than you think. Say for example your going to have a homepage, contact page, and a about page. Write these three links out, and branch off other links below them. Like on your contact page you'll maybe have a link to go to a contact form, and/or a link to go to your forums/community. And for your about page you could have information about you, info on your company, info on how you became started, frequently asked questions, and maybe even a reference or how-to guide on how you started your business.
As you can see deciding how many links you will have can be a very time consuming job. But it is always better to have all of this planned out and done before you start designing your webpage, or having someone do it for you. The more info you can provide yourself, or your webmaster will benefit you greatly.
Say for example your webmaster charges you by the hour... If he/she has to spend time thinking of your linking structure you could be paying this person more than you really need to.
Here are some things you should think about before you get started on building your layout structure:
What's the topic of your website going to be based on?
Who are your visitors/clients going to be?
What do you need to gear your advertising towards?
How can you make all of your pages easy to access?
Who are your competitors?
Gather content and important information for your website. After you have your linking structure all setup you will want to start looking around your house, computer, work, or wherever and gather up information about your website's main topic. You will need content to fill up your homepage, contact information for your contact page, and anything and everything else to fill your website with content.
Content will be the number one key to the success of your website. If your content isn't updated regularly, or isn't 100% complete than you will loose visitors and even potential clients/product purchasers.
Try to avoid having links to pages that don't work. This will cause visitors to not click on those links again, or even not come back to your website again. Try to atleast throw a page up with Under Construction, and have some content on there for them to go through.
Back to the point... Be Creative before you Purchase or Create a Website. Dont jump straight into something without knowing anything about it. Ask your self, would you buy a brand new car with no engine knowing you have to use it to get to work the next day? Planning out your website structure is on the same lines as purchasing a car without a engine. You need the content and structure built up before you can get it to run.
About The Author
Charles Nixon - Website Designer. Driven by Creativity. Building websites to increase sales, and web presence. Did you start your business to create a website? Or to run your business? charlesnixon.com may be the web design firm for you! Competitive prices and your project delivered on time and on budget.
expert residential cleaners Park Ridge ..How popular is online shopping? And is there room for... Read More
Q. Hey, Cathy: I'm just setting up a website. What... Read More
An automated accessibility tool is a piece of software which... Read More
Are you, like many other website owners, frustrated at the... Read More
The internet has taken over our lives with a vengeance,... Read More
Internet has opened a whole new world for web developers... Read More
I am just a learner who likes to delve in... Read More
Project Safekids provides webmasters a valuable tool which could save... Read More
My life's greatest passion is a safari hobby. And what... Read More
Let's begin by setting some limits. If you're like me,... Read More
Here's something you may never have thought of before:If I... Read More
An Introduction to Server Side IncludesBeginner? That's OK!While much has... Read More
One of the best tools you have as a webmaster... Read More
One of the most useful features offered by some web... Read More
I've heard several prominent web marketers mention in their classes... Read More
1. Splash pagesMost of the time splash pages are uncalled... Read More
Rosalind wants to share her inspirational poetry with a wider... Read More
If you like the Internet and surfing through the billions... Read More
Installment 1Developing State-enabled Applications With PHPWhen a user is browsing... Read More
RIVERSIDE, CA August 4, 2004 ?- "Historically, small business owners... Read More
Like any area of business your website needs some effort... Read More
If you're an up and coming graphic/web designer just out... Read More
There are lots of HTML editors on the market, however,... Read More
Affiliate programs are a great way to earn an income... Read More
1. Address your targeted audience on your business site. Example:... Read More
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..As increasing numbers of people search for information on the... Read More
Setting up a website is the very first step of... Read More
2 Golden Rules for an Engaging Website35% of visitors fail... Read More
Visitors to your site come looking for information or solutions... Read More
The art of turning website visitors into paying customers depends... Read More
Mini Websites are the most powerful and cost effective solution... Read More
There are several reverse bid freelance sites out there. Beyond... Read More
Let's begin by setting some limits. If you're like me,... Read More
Losing website sales and traffic is sometimes simply a case... Read More
"What's in it for me?" you ask. "Why should I... Read More
While studying online for IT investment opportunities, I found that... Read More
One of the things that many people overlook when building... Read More
Many executives and investors are skeptical that software products can... Read More
One of my most salient memories from when I sold... Read More
Whether you have your own business already, or are looking... Read More
Today it seems everyone is jumping on the entrepreneur bandwagon,... Read More
I am just a learner who likes to delve in... Read More
Q1.Why would I need a web site? A1.- Improve my... Read More
Through the explosive growth of the Web, companies have realized... Read More
From early days of www, the Internet sites that are... Read More
For years now I've been looking to start my own... Read More
Writing for the web is totally different to writing for... Read More
Better Web Site ROIHow to increase your business profitability by... Read More
You hear a great deal about the Internet these days... Read More
A common dilemma most small and medium businesses face when... Read More
Web Development |