Here’s where the fun start’s! It’s also
where the fun can go seriously wrong. You should be excited and enthusiastic
about your new online business – but rushing ahead blindly without a plan has
never been a wise choice.
So, in this section, we’ll look at some
points to consider while you’re getting ready to take your business online.
Keyword Research Strategy
You do have one, don’t you? Keyword drives
the web – and should be the absolute starting point for your business website.
Consider the following points as part of planning a website:
·
Have you selected the best
possible niche for your business?
·
Does your business concept
have enough demand to generate traffic and income?
·
How much competition dose your
concepts have? Is there a chance of ‘owning’ that niche?
·
Do you know how to choose
keywords that are just right for your niche ?
Logical Site Layout – Blueprint
We may not all possess a brain like Mr.
Spock’s, but most of us appreciate logic and order especially online.
So while planning a website use your
knowledge of your subject, combined the results from your keyword research to
create a logical site blueprint.
Stick to a 3-tier layout and link all tier
-2 pages from your home page and navigation bar.
Professional Look and Feel
Whether you employ a graphic designer to
create the overall layout of your site, buy or download one of the many
available templates, or create the look yourself, there are a few principles of
effective web design that you should follow.
·
Choose a design ad color scheme
that suits business and its customers. Are you an accountant, a biker bar o an
online clothes shop? Let your design reflect that.
·
A clean, uncluttered layout
draws visitors in. Make sure your design has lots of white space and avoid too
many different background, textures anf colors.
·
Dark text on light –color
background is easier to read.
·
Use readable, professional
looking fonts for your business website. Keep fancy fonts for images or birthday
cards.
Clear Navigation
Make it easy for your visitors to navigate
your site! This is fundamental and one of the most important points to consider
when planning a website.
Regardless of where your visitors enter,
they should be able to find their way around quickly and easily. Don’t let them
get lost.
Consistency and simplicity are key to
effective navigation.
Offer the most important links at the top
of each page and – again in the footer section of each page.
Make use of both left and right columns to
link to different of the site, but keep it consistent and clean. Don’t clutter
your navigation with unnecessary drop down and fly –outs and definitely avoid
special effects.
Planning a website takes time and though –
but if you can curb your impatience, you soon reap the benefits.
Post a Comment