Website Design

Getting your business online is exciting, but can also be overwhelming. I understand how scary the whole process can be and promise to help you along the way. In reality, I manage most of the steps for you - with your input, of course...

Before we talk about the process of getting your website online, it is important you understand a few basics about website design.

1. Professional Design

Your website needs to be clean, easy to read and navigate, so your visitors can quickly find what they are looking for. Whilst it is ok to include one or two special effects, such as flash animations, stay away from effects that take too long to download or that require visitors to install additional software.

If you want to read more about professional website design, go to: 8 Tips For Designing a Great Website.

2. Content

While it is important that your website looks clean and professional, it is far more important that you concentrate your efforts on the content of your website. You need to provide your visitors with all the information they may possibly need to make a decision to buy from you. If your potential customers can't find what they are looking for, they will click away and go to another website - in most cases they will not bother to call you to find out what they want to know.

Focus on your customers and their needs. Rather than trying to “sell your business”, let your prospects know how your product/service is going to benefit them. Emphasize the benefits and solve problems. Make this the focus of everything you write on every page of your site. Don’t try to sell visitors your products or service, help them.

For more information about what content to include on your website, go to: 24 Essential Pages to Include On Your Website

3. Credibility

In order to convert your website visitors into paying customers, you need to prove your credibility… you need to show your potential customers that you are trustworthy, reliable and that you will deliver what you promise.

To learn more about proving your credibility online, go to: 18 Ways to Prove Your Credibility Online

4. Search Engines

When planning your website, keep the Search Engines in mind. Search engines try to list sites that contain relevant content, so you need keywords and phrases on your pages that best describe your service and products.

Once you decide on the keywords, use them in:

(a) Your website’s domain name
(b) The title of your page – This is displayed in the top bar of your browser window
(c) The heading of your home page
(d) The first paragraph of your home page
(e) Meta tags – Keywords, page title, description
(f) Titles of your graphics

To learn more about Search Engines, go to: The Painful Truth About Getting Your Website to the Top of the Search Engines

So those are the basic things you need to understand about your website, but I realise running your business takes up most of your time, so I will make getting your website up and running as easy as possible.

These are the steps we will take together to get your business online.

Step 1 - Download your free website plan
Step 2 - Check out the pricing
Step 3 - Service agreement
Step 4 - The work begins
Step 5 - Website marketing

Step 1: Download your free website plan

I have put together a Website Plan which covers the following:

1. Getting your business online - are you ready?
2. Domain names - what are they and do you need one?
3. Tips for planning an outstanding website
4. Tips for designing a great website
5. Glossary of internet terms

To download your copy of the FREE Website Plan, click here

Please read through the website plan. If you decide you'd like to go ahead and have a website designed, please complete "Your Website" form at the back of the Website Plan and fax it to me on 02 9981 6741.

Step 2: Check Out the Pricing

This is what everyone wants to know, but not many people want to talk about. Check out the Pricing page to see how much the website is going to cost you. You may wish to take advantage of a package deal or if you are unsure and need a special quote, then contact me.

Step 3: Service Agreement

If you are happy with the pricing and wish to proceed with having your website designed, I will send you a Service Agreement, which outlines all the aspects of the website design process. Once you have signed it, I will get started on your website.

Step 4: The Work Begins

This is where you put your feet up and let me do all the work. Just kidding.

The truth is I do most of the work for you - I will register your domain name, set up your webhosting account, set up your email addresses, design the website and add in all the content.

So the only thing you need to do is provide me with the information that you would like included on your website. That's it!

In case you are wondering, your website will take generally 7-10 business days to get up and running. So in reality, this time next week your website could be live on the internet. How exciting!

Step 5: Website Marketing

You are excited. Your website is finally up and running and you have proudly told your family and friends.

Now what?

The truth is there is no magic internet fairy who will knock on people’s door to announce your website’s arrival. The task is up to you. To get your website marketing off the ground you either need to spend time learning and doing it or spend money and get somebody else to do it.

There are hundreds of ways to promote your business. You can do it on line or off line or a combination of both. Much will depend on your budget and the time you have available.

If you are starting to panic right now ... STOP ... take a deep breath and visit the Website Marketing page to get started on the website marketing process. Who knows, you may find marketing exciting and lots of fun.

To help you demystify terms relating to the internet, you may also wish to visit the web jargon page.

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