In this ever changing world, a website design has a limited life, and it is for that reason that from time to time you may need to go through the process of having your web design redesigned.
But before you embark upon this momentous and challenging event you need to first pause and think about the whole process. Planning is essential if you are going to work closely with your web designer to create a smooth transition from what you currently have as a design for your company to what you are about to create.
In his article ‘Things to ask before you redo your website’, Seth Godin provides a list of difficult and important questions you have to answer before you spend a nickel with a web designer. Use these questions to guide you through the whole process.
It’s a well known fact that if you can ask yourself better questions, you’re going to come up with better answers – and in this case a much better performing website.
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What makes an effective website design?
My first simple answer to that question is: A website that effectively takes people through to the point of either doing a transaction on your website or booking a consultation or even making an enquiry.
But the first thing that we need to do is to do our research in order to find out how your clients are finding you. Is it through the search engines via keywords, through paid advertising, directories or even people linking to your website? Remember that it is so important that your current ads and propositions contain benefit based headlines and phrases that communicate the best possible outcome that the prospect will receive from visiting your website.
Put yourself in the position of your future client’s.
And then take a closer look at your website through the eyes of a prospective client. Put your website under the microscope.
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The Web Design industry is still an extremely random and fragmented industry – full of industry mavericks. And unfortunately, for the unsuspecting small business owner, they usually don’t find out that they’re dealing with one until they have paid all their money and been given a website that is not up to their expectations. Or they find themselves becoming the owner of a website that will actually turn potential clients away from their business rather than creating for them potential business opportunities.
One of the worst scenarios that I have noticed is when a small business owner discovers that their web designer has disappeared, even possibly with the ownership of their domain name, or that they are stuck with a design company that has a central Content Management System in place that makes for impossible transfer of a website to a new web host. And the list goes on and on.
Unfortunately for the small business owner, in the web design industry we have seen graphic designers, technicians, university students, school students and even the occasional brother-in-law dabbling in web design. At times this has caused grave problems for the uninitiated.
Hence the rise of the web design franchise model.
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Here comes the judge. Here comes the judge. And who is the judge?
Your potential client that is eyeing up your business online.
So the question is: How does my website size up in the eyes of potential clients? You may not be able to judge a book by its cover but you can sure judge a business by its website.
Take this quick quiz and you be the judge before others pass up their judgement and find your website wanting – and do business with the other guy who has judged his website.
Here are 10 quick questions you need to ask yourself when you look at your website that is currently representing your business.
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There is an increasing need for businesses to be operational online, and the majority of people who are in need of a website are business savvy, not technology experts. As a business owner your main priority is running a successful enterprise, not studying how to design a website.
There are many simple steps and tips to developing an effective website.
Sarah Schelbach, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer from OE Design – The Web Designers says, “Websites are often overlooked as they become too complicated for the business owner to develop. However, websites can be the most effective medium to market your business in this technology booming age.”
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