Tips for building a profitable web site
A web site has become a necessary tool in today’s globally competitive environment. The website through the medium of the Internet reaches people from all across the world, facilitating visibility and sale of products, services and information. Whether it is for business, governmental agencies or individuals, the website has become the stepping stone for all ventures. However, the profitability and the success of the website depend on how well it is designed and how informative it is. A website has the potential to either make or break your business.
Listed below are some basic guidelines for sound web site design and navigation.
- Use a powerful header – The focus of primary attention should be a powerful headline that delivers the message of your company in a direct and catchy manner and lures you to want to know more.
- The goal/purpose of your website should be absolutely clear – The content containing information about the product and the shopping cart route should be clearly marked. Pages should download quickly and links should open fast to keep the visitor interested. If you use graphics, use thumbnails with descriptive text leading to clickable links to larger versions of the photo. If you sell a lot of different items, try to classify them to make them easier to find.
- Ensure easy navigation – In today’s fast faced world, people have little time to waste. Ensure quick and easy navigation; if they can't find what they want quickly on your site they'll move on to another site, perhaps never to return to again.
- Make the site look professional- A company's web site should be neat and professional and should display clearly its sales literature and marketing materials. Don't cram your page full of flashing banner ads and graphics. These might tend to distract the visitors and your site will lose the desired effectiveness.
- Encourage browsing and impulse buys – Position different items strategically on your website to lure customers. Supplement the main product with a highlight of its own or talk about related products they may want to buy with the primary one. For instance, if your website is selling books, write short book reviews and put a link in each book review to a place on your site where the reader can buy the book you are reviewing. Run banner ads for your product on editorial pages of your web site. Also, talk about books by the same author or the same subject which leads the reader to check the site out further.
- Give your customers ordering choices and ensure that payment methods are safe and secure – Not everyone is comfortable using a credit card over the Internet, so be sure to give your customers alternate methods for making a purchase. In addition to your online order form, provide a way for people to order by telephone, fax or e-mail.
- Home Page – Provide for a Home Page or About Us Page so that customers get to know who you are and what business you are in. Moreover, if they need to contact you after they've made a purchase, display clearly, the contact information. Credibility is important so avoid any ambiguity on that front. The Internet is a 24/7 tool. If you don't have someone answering phones 24 hours a day, be sure to state your hours of operation along with your contact information. Providing a Feedback form also helps you review your shortfalls and improve upon them.
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