Absolutely everything stems from the purpose of your website - selection of hosting, programming, graphic design, copywriting, internet marketing, autoresponder service, and e-commerce. So it's very important to establish the purpose of your business website first. The most common purposes for a business website are:
* A company brochure: explain to customers (or potential customers), suppliers and shareholders more about the business
* Product news releases: distribution of pricelists, product specifications & photos
* Information releases: downloadable brochures, documents, forms & marketing material
* Lead generation: allow customers to contact you directly via phone, fax, email or SMS.
* Sale generation: complete a transaction on the website (eg. Purchase a book, magazine subscription, etc.)
The above list is ordered from the most simple to the most complex website. Generally, if you want customers to buy your product or service via your website, your website will be more complex - including a shopping cart, secure payment gateway, customer record management, product/stock management and automated customer service. And generally, the more complex a website, the more time it will take to develop, and the more it will cost.
However, I recommend that if you're taking the time and effort to build your business website, you may as well build yourself something decent. So I always recommend business owners plan for a website that will generate fresh leads or sales.
The purpose of your business website should closely relate to your overall business plan. Too many businesses make the mistake of setting up a website and forgetting about it.
A well-planned, well-developed website can be a fundamental part of your business. Not only to present a professional image to your customers, but actually generate new business. And that means more sales!
So take a few hours to sit down and work out how your business website fits into the bigger picture.
Takeaway Tips
* The more effort put into planning, the more successful the website is likely to be.
* Your business website will compete with many others for customers' attention. Professional presentation, design and functionality are essential. Money invested in good presentation is money well spent.
* A website and its objectives and capabilities must be a part of your overall business strategy.
* Always look for new ideas - look at other websites.
* Do not try and do it all at once. Develop your website in stages. Each stage should provide useful information and features for your customers. A staged development will also help to encourage repeat visits by customers.
* Ensure that your site is designed in a way that you can make changes to content yourself, from your own computer - avoid reliance on the web developer for day-to-day changes.
* Update website content regularly, to keep it fresh and interesting.
Once you have an overall strategy for your business website in place, the next thing to consider is the budget. How much are you going to spend? After all for most businesses, money does't grow on trees? at least last time I checked ;-)
TIP: If you already have a website and just need to find a hosting service, check out my recommendation at: http://www.1st-for-business-web-hosting.com/find.asp?i=6
Josh has been involved in web development since 1996. He now helps business owners get their own websites up and running with a free easy-to-understand guide, and 7-part e-course at http://www.1st-For-Businsess-Web-Hosting.com
Chicago limo Skokie ..Losing website sales and traffic is sometimes simply a case... Read More
From early days of www, the Internet sites that are... Read More
You have seen those web pages where they have the... Read More
If you're fairly new to the Internet scene, you may... Read More
When we review the sites of potential clients, there are... Read More
That's right. According to a recent study by Nielsen/NetRatings, Amazon.com... Read More
So you want to have a website. You have gone... Read More
Server Side Includes (SSI) with ASP People often... Read More
Setting up a website is the very first step of... Read More
Spend time planning your Web site. Before you design a... Read More
A system development process can follow a number of standard... Read More
If you have some experience in web site design and... Read More
When you started reading this sentence you assumed lo acabar?a... Read More
Have you ever thought the secret behind the success of... Read More
Some left shoes are in isle 5, while the right... Read More
Before you set up any scripts you will need some... Read More
"I don't sell anything online, I don't advertise online, in... Read More
Designing an E-commerce Web site is not as simple as... Read More
Today it seems everyone is jumping on the entrepreneur bandwagon,... Read More
What is the most important part of your online business?Many... Read More
Huge Mistake #1: Creating a Website with Flash -- Did... Read More
How popular is online shopping? And is there room for... Read More
The internet has taken over our lives with a vengeance,... Read More
Your business website is a critical aspect of being able... Read More
Anyone who knows anything about web accessibility knows that images... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..A PHP Redirect automatically transfers a web user from one... Read More
With the New Year upon us yet again, it's time... Read More
1. Be clear on your purpose.Building a website can be... Read More
1) Data CaptureOne easy way to collect e-mail addresses and... Read More
It is an undeniable fact that not everybody is keen... Read More
If you've been developing websites on Mars for the past... Read More
Build it and they will come is not always true;... Read More
After having decided to start a business, the next thing... Read More
Are you aware that 90% of the websites on the... Read More
Never has competition been so difficult in the Internet world.... Read More
We all start out the same. Some have budgets, some... Read More
So you want to take a look at a real... Read More
Developing a website with content that entices visitors to return... Read More
Writing for the web is totally different to writing for... Read More
Wow, we`ve already taken a domain and chosen a web... Read More
How popular is online shopping? And is there room for... Read More
The first step in setting up an online business...Starting an... Read More
1) Word of Mouth The single most powerful form of... Read More
Building a website and getting it online is easy. Driving... Read More
In this example I have used the map of the... Read More
Before you jump into spending coutnless hours on designing and... Read More
RIVERSIDE, CA August 4, 2004 ?- "Historically, small business owners... Read More
Many small businesses have the misconception that their business can... Read More
Your site is fast and getting traffic, but conversion rates... Read More
My life's greatest passion is a safari hobby. And what... Read More
Web Development |