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So, what makes a good website? Well, the bottom line is "anything that gets in theway of what customers need is bad design however nice it looks".
What you include on your website and its appearance will of course depend on whatservices or products you are providing and what you want the site to do for yourbusiness.
It can be tempting to try and be everything to everyone - just because you are onthe web and can, potentially, reach the whole world. This is probably not how youfocus the rest of your marketing strategy but the lure of the web is a weird andwonderful thing.
This unfocussed and random approach can actually be detrimental to your businessand, in the worst cases, make your website a millstone around your neck.
We've all had the experience of going into a shop and being unable to find what wewant easily and quickly. Often there is no assistant to point us in the rightdirection. What do we do? We leave and spend our money somewhere else. The same istrue of websites.
When you start planning your website the most important thing is to look at it fromthe customer's perspective. A successful user experience is the main reason peoplereturn to a company. If your website looks amateurish, is confusing to navigate,does not deliver what it says it does or makes it difficult for your customers toachieve what they want on the site they won't use your services.
The majority of businesses do not need complicated websites, and thank goodness thecraze for flashing text, cheesy music playing in the background and images jumpingaround all over the page has past.
Fashion in general has a big part to play in this and the look this season is clean,uncluttered and easy on the eye.
Websites get out of date both in terms of appearance and information. You should aimto review your website every 6 months. This is not part of your regular updating.This is to ensure that it is still in line with your core business strategy, yourcustomer demands, and is promoting the right image.
Too many websites lie untouched for years with their owners complaining no one everuses them. There are good reasons for this and it is in your interest to find outwhy and address those issues. A good website can really enhance your reputation,attract new customers, retain old ones, enable you to learn more about customers,create new revenue streams, increase referrals, develop brand loyalty, improvecustomer service and enhance your other methods of advertising.
There are tools around to make keeping your site fresh easier. Being able to updateyour navigation without involving a web agency can save you money in the long term.Learn more about Flexible Navigation(http://www.catfish webdesign.com/flexiblenavigati on.html).
So whether you are working on your first website or revamping an existing one, tapinto the experience of your web designer. If they are worth their salt they willknow what works and what doesn't on the web, will be able to advise you on how topresent your content and what you can do to make your site a cut above the rest.
The relationship with your designer should be a partnership. You need to be openwith them about what you want to from your site and provide them with as muchinformation as you can about your business - how it works and where you see it goingin the future. They'll also want to know your unique selling points, your maincompetitors, you company image and personality and your market (both traditional andtarget).
With all this information in hand your designer will be able to make sensible andrelevant suggestions and recommendations. In addition, having a clear of idea ofwhat you want to achieve will also put you in a good position to judge the successof the project.
Getting a good website is not an exact science but good planning and research willgive you a head start.
Author: Jane Horwood, Owner of Catfish Web Design. Jane has been running Catfish forover 6 years. She specialises in websites for charities and small businesses.
www.catfishwebdes ign.com
