Make your website work for you16 November 2004
A bad website can cause more damage to your business than a disgruntled employee - but a good website can be a great marketing tool and could dramatically increase your profits.
So how do you know if your website is working for you? The following tips should help you make the most of your online presence - whether you already have a website, or if you're thinking of building one:
Think about your users
Your most important consideration should be the needs of your users. A common error businesses make is to reflect their own needs on to the website design, instead of considering the needs of their users. What will your website users want to do when they visit your site? Try to put yourself in their position.
Keep it clean
Too many small business websites use a variety of speckled backgrounds, unreadable fonts, flashy buttons and animated icons.
This only serves to distract and confuse your users. A simple, clean, professional design will do more for your business than any number of gimmicks.
Catch them quickly
Your users should know the content and purpose of your website within the first few seconds. Decide the message you want to get across to your users and design your front page with that in mind. A short mission statement or summary of your business can be helpful.
Your front page should load quickly
For your users to quickly understand the purpose of your website, you need ensure your front page loads quickly. Large photographs are usually the cause of slow page downloads. You can reduce the size of your photo files with professional-standard software package like Fireworks or PhotoShop.
Easy navigation
Your website should be easy to navigate - easy enough for a six year old child to find their way around. Make sure your pages are clearly labelled and laid out on the page in a way even the most basic Internet user can understand.
Update regularly
People are more likely to come back to your website if you update the contents regularly. If you don't have the time to update regularly, avoid putting time-sensitive information on your pages. Out of date information will only confuse and discourage your users.
Related links
- Internet Business Pack - Website Design (Software package)
- Build your website with BT's Internet Business Pack (Software package)
- Sell online with BT's Internet Trader Pack (Software package)
