Plan your Website

PURPOSE
The first thing to determine is: What is the purpose of the site?  Is it to make information about your product or event available?  Is it strictly to sell a product?

KEYWORDS

• One of the components of your site will be hidden codes that the search engines use to categorize web pages.  These can be inserted as key words, descriptions and/or meta tags. 

•  Create a list of at least 10 words that describe your site.  If you sell hand made soap some examples of key words would be "soaps, handmade,  orange, scented, gentle, natural, "Company Name",  glycerin, special offer". 

• For the description develop a one or two sentence summary of what your site is about. You can then use these words to form an outline of the content of your site.

CONTENT

• Think of the information that you would make available in other printed resources such as brochures, flyers and newspaper ads as well as the outline that you have just created.  

• Most internet marketing specialists recommend coordinating your online appearance with that of  other printed materials.  You may already have a logo, color scheme and other information already thought out and need it translated into a web page.   

• You might not be sure about the ins and outs of internet marketing but you do probably know a lot about your target market and their likes and styles.  Be sure to provide this information as it will help set the right tone for your site!

• If you still are unsure of what to add surf, surf, surf.  Check out what your competition or similar organizations are doing!  Make a list of how you think your product, event or information is more up to date, better value, etc.  You want to create or find a niche and fill it.

• Don't forget testimonials as a great way to create credibility!  Do not add the customer's email address or full name with out getting their permission first.

WHERE TO PUT YOUR PAGE
 If you don't already have a domain name  (www.yourbusiness.com) and a place to host it, you can place your page on a web hosting service such as lunarpages.com.    You can save a little if you pay 12 months at a time. Your account with them is in your name and you are responsible to make sure that the content of your web page does not violate any of the terms of service.

WEBSITE REMODELING
If you already have a website but you feel it is time for a change consider the following:

• What do you like the most about your current site?

• What do you like the least?

• How easy is it to get around your site?

• Is your target market the same?

• Is there any content that needs to eliminated or added?

• Is the purpose of your site the same?

INTERNET MARKETING
Once you have a website you will need to help people find it.  Make sure you web address is included in all of your email signatures, on your business cards and all other printed material.  Other ways we can help you increase traffic to your site:

• Submit your site to the major search engines

• Register your site in local directories and in industry directories

• Make suggestions and help you develop content that will keep customers coming back to your website on a regular basis (give-aways, industry news, sales, mailing lists, etc)

If you are ready to start now please
email us for consultation.