The Birth of
a Professional Web Site Part Two Your Strategic Web Design Plan
There are millions of web sites on the Internet today
with thousands more being added each day. The competition is fierce and in
order to be successful, you must stay one step ahead of the game.
Although designing a professional web site is an important part of your strategic
plan, it is only the first step. Before you begin the actual design process,
you must first determine your overall strategy and design your web site
accordingly.
Internet marketers have basically two choices:
-> Design a mini web site that focuses on just one product or service,
with no other content of any kind.
-> Design a content web site that includes not only your products and
services, but also information and resources that will be of interest to
your target market.
Although both types of sites can be effective, your success ultimately depends
on your site design and marketing strategies. Both will play a very important
role.
Content Web Sites
Content oriented sites are sites that provide visitors
with content, such as articles, tutorials, free ebooks and resources. This
type of site attracts their target audience with incentives. Their products
and services are mentioned on the main page with a link to further information.
Content sites usually profit by educating their visitors. For example, a
content site focusing on dog grooming might provide a basic tutorial to assist
their visitors in learning how to groom a dog. They provide this tutorial
completely free; however, the main purpose for this tutorial is to educate
their visitors and promote their products.
When you provide your visitors with quality information that teaches and
informs, you are not only gaining their trust in you by sharing your expertise,
but you're also building your credibility, which is very important on the
Internet.
The key to using this technique effectively is to provide content that targets
your potential customer.
Mini-Sites
Mini-sites are different from content sites, as they
don't provide any content. They usually contain one or two pages and completely
focus on one product or service. Basically, the site is just a sales letter
for the product.
No matter which type of site you design, keep in mind, your web site is a
direct reflection of you and your business. The appearance of your web site
is the most important factor in determining your web site's value. If your
site doesn't look professional or pleasing to the eyes at first glance, it's
perceived value will be low. The perceived value of your web site will have
a great impact on your success.
On the other hand, you may have a great web site, well
designed and a quality product or service, but if it takes too long to load,
the value will still be perceived as low. Why? Your potential customer will
not wait -- ultimately costing you business.
If you're serious about your Internet business, designing a web site specifically
designed to sell your products is an essential part of your success. Everything
within your web site should have one specific purpose -- getting your visitors
to take action.
Your Strategy
Prior to designing your web site, you must decide on
the type of response you're looking for. For example, if you're selling a
product, the response you're most-likely trying to achieve is to make a sale.
If you're developing a content site, your main goal for every page of your
site should be to lead your visitors to your sales page. You can accomplish
this in a number of ways, including:
1) Display a graphic image of your product on your main page with a short
ad and a link leading to your sales page.
2) Create a "Products" section within the navigational menu of each page
with a short description and link to each of your products.
3) Write articles that focus on the same topic as your product. At the end
of the article, within your bylines, provide your visitors with information
about your product.
4) Write tutorials that target your potential customer. At the end of the
tutorial, provide information about your product.
5) Provide your visitors with a free autoresponder course. Your course should
identify a problem, provide advice in regard to solving the problem and provide
the solution with your products or services. Keep in mind, your course should
not be written like a sales letter. It must provide quality information written
to teach and inform.
No matter what type of response you're looking for, your site must be
specifically designed to achieve your goal.
Every part of your web site must be strategically designed. From your overall
design to your sales copy -- each will play a very important role.
Your web site is the most important sales tool you have. A professional web
site should be pleasing to the eyes, well organized, easy to navigate, load
quickly and be optimized for the Search Engines.
Above all else, you must specifically design your site for your potential
customers. Provide them with the information they desire, while continually
mentioning the benefits of your products, and you'll reap the rewards.
(Continued in part
three)
Copyright © Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print,
in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author
bylines are included.
Part One
Part Three
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