You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your business cards and other marketing collateral materials. You want to include your website address (also called a URL) to build your credibility. However, you're not quite ready to write and design a full website. At the same time, you don't think it's a good idea to distribute your new printed materials showing your website URL and to have only a blank web page waiting for your potential client's inquiries. What to do?
Does this sound familiar? Many entrepreneurs who are starting small businesses find themselves in this position. We suggest that you build a one-page website to use in the interim. Elements to design into your one-page website include:
- Your brand identity graphics. Include your logo and visual vocabulary elements on your website for a consistent look and feel across your materials and to build your brand recognition.
- A short description of your business. This description should be between one paragraph and one page in length when typed into a Microsoft Word document, and it should also be concise. You don't want your one-page website to be a scrolling monstrosity, website visitors will read the content of a shorter page. And, the ultimate goal of your page is for people to read it and learn more about you!
- Your contact information. It's very important to include information about how to get in touch with you ? in case someone stumbles upon your website, becomes interested, and wants to hire you! It will also serve as a great reference for any of your current clients or anyone you meet while networking who loses your business card before they have a chance to call you.
- A testimonial from a client, to enhance your business's credibility. An enthusiastic, signed testimonial by a real person ? you provide a link to their website as "proof" of their existence ? will begin to calm any fears that a potential client may have. This makes even a basic one-page website compelling.
You will see that even a one-page website can bring in new clients and help to convert prospects to clients. And, since having a website is a "must" in today's business world, your marketing package will be up to date as well.
You can use a one-page site as a starting point for a much larger site in a step-by- step manner. Writing one or two web pages at a time and developing a five- to six- page (or more!) site over a period of time is a much less daunting task than developing a full site all at once. Even my 330+ page (and counting!) website started as a one-page site.
The most common excuse that people have for not having a website for their business is that they don't know what to include on it. If you have a hard time writing a single page about your business, try recording yourself talking to a friend or client about your business ? it's often easier to tell someone your story than to stare at a blank page.
Another reason to have a one-page website developed would be to get a jumpstart on building search engine rankings. You can include search engine keyword phrases into the text on the page, and then submit the one-page site to the engine's ranking software. You'll get established in the search engines and will be able to begin building your site's search engine profile and history. This is the beginning of excellent search engine optimization and the first step on the path toward great rankings that will drive many visitors to your site.
A great advantage of having a one-page website is that you can include your URL on your printed materials. You won't have to reprint your cards and collateral when you do launch your full site!
About the Author
Erin Ferree, Founder and Lead Designer of elf design, is a brand identity and graphic design expert. She has been helping small businesses grow with bold, clean and effective logo and marketing material designs for over a decade. elf design offers the comprehensive graphic and web design services of a large agency, with the one- on-one, personalized attention of an independent design specialist. Erin works closely in partnership with her clients to create designs that are visible, credible and memorable ? and that tell their unique business stories in a clear and consistent way. For more information about elf design, please visit: logo design at logo design
maide service in Northbrook ...You've made your website, added a great title and keywords... Read More
This is a very perfunctory look at the website code... Read More
**How Colors are Used in web design:**Demarcates screen elements into... Read More
The .htaccess file is a control file located in your... Read More
1. Loading time:try to be below 20kbless number of imagesspecify... Read More
You spend time and money promoting your website; but what... Read More
Web design is a very competitive area and there is... Read More
Are you looking for somebody to build you a website,... Read More
Argh, where's the contact button?! Believe it or not, some... Read More
Creating an appealing, functional, and effective Web site is much... Read More
Don't knock it; "Keep It Simple, Stupid" is a great... Read More
One of the most popular methods of traffic generation is... Read More
Projecting a professional image is paramount to your website's success.... Read More
Ecommerce is just exploding right now on the Net. More... Read More
I am constantly bombarded with all sorts of advertisements, single-page... Read More
Using CGI scripts to add automation to your web site... Read More
Creating your web site can be a tricky process. Choosing... Read More
The title tags of your web pages are more important... Read More
So you're on the computer, as usual. Your eyes are... Read More
Well, a logo for your business. Why is it important?... Read More
When your web site sells more than a dozen items,... Read More
Due to the large number of people offering website design... Read More
Even if you're not an accomplished webmaster you can still... Read More
Automating your online business is one of the most important... Read More
We can't emphasize enough the importance of including keyword-rich content... Read More
home sanitizing services Glencoe ...Let me repeat that.."The technology may change, but human nature... Read More
Over the years, the internet has grown into a marvelous... Read More
1. Who needs an artists website?Not everyone! If you are... Read More
The time it takes to load your site can make... Read More
We've all seen them. Poorly designed web sites that make... Read More
Internet Explorer, created by microsoft has been the most popular... Read More
With so many new websites going up, it is hard... Read More
If you are one of those who wonder how people... Read More
I want to give you a free web page template... Read More
This is the second part of a two-part article about... Read More
One of the most popular methods of traffic generation is... Read More
A client asked me, at what point do you change... Read More
Navigation must be simple. Since it's the backbone of your... Read More
In my last article entitled, Maximizing The True Value Of... Read More
Easy navigation and usability are one of the most important... Read More
(1) Create a Direct Response Website, with the minimum number... Read More
For those not familiar with CSS Hacks, they are ways... Read More
The trend today to overuse animation in a website's opening... Read More
If there's one thing that most web site developers can... Read More
Most web designers and web design companies will try to... Read More
Square buttons, round buttons, flashy buttons ? will they match... Read More
Here are a few programs I can't do without. They're... Read More
Hello, how is your website doing?Are sales flowing in?If you... Read More
There is a widespread confusion among lots of new website... Read More
You have only 10 seconds to impress your potential buyer.... Read More
Web Design |