Step 2. Planning your website

How do I go about creating my website and what will my website design company need from me?

First of all you need to develop a structure for your site, a breakdown of the pages and relevant content for each page, then use this structure to create your site map or navigation menu (i.e. the buttons or links viewers will click on to find each page/section of your website).

 

Writing effective content ...

Before you begin - change your mindset! Put yourself in your viewers shoes. Don't write content based on your own pre-conceived ideas about your business - instead, anticipate what your viewers are after when they hit your site! They will want to know what you have to offer, how much it is going to cost, what your credibility is as a business, your track record and only then, how they can go about making contact or buying your products or services.

 

Create IMPACT with your homepage ...

You should initially avoid talking about who you are, where you came from, your wonderful past successes and concentrate soley on satisfying your viewers burning questions! If you don't capture their immediate attention and persuade them to read further, the rest of your website will be irrelevant.

 

Call to action ...

When you feel satisfied you have provided your viewers with the information they immediately need to know, then think about how you are going to maneuver them through your site to make that purchase or contact you with a legitimate business enquiry. After all, this is the reason for having a website!

 

Building credibility and trust ...

Testimonials:

Provide viewers with testimonials from past satisfied customers. Be sure these are real and do not attempt to make them up. If your viewers suspect your testimonials are fake you will damage the very thing you are trying to achieve - build credibility and trust! Make sure you include the client's name, position and company - if you can't - best leave them out.

 

Photos:

Few people like the idea of having their photo on their website, but this is another important trust builder. If your viewers can see who you are and put a face to your name they will less likely think you are some random person operating out of a dark dingy shed somewhere! If possible, include a photo of your staff, premises, sign written vehicles or whatever else you can think of to show you are a legitimate business.