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.

Here are some key ‘microscopic’ questions to ask  yourself as you do your microscopic analysis.

• Does  my homepage introduce my business benefit  upfront?
• Does the rest  of my website clearly  communicate an offer that is bigger and better than  any of my other  competitors?
• Is my design  simple?
• Is it clear in  presentation?
• Am  I captivated?
• Am  I motivated to stay in my site and  investigate more  deeply?
• Does my  website communicate the beautiful  benefit of what I am selling and  what it will do for me?
• Does it  address my needs, my wants, my  problems, my challenges and my  frustrations?
• Does my website  provide a brief overview?
• Do I have  client testimonials?
• Do I have a  risk reversal or bonus offer?
• Does my design  flow?
• Is it  clear?
• Is it  concise?
• Is it  direct?
• Is it  logical?
• At any  point can I skip the bulk of  information and go directly to a point  where I can request more  information or purchase or request information  or request a call or  consultation. So in brief does every page of my  website have a call to  action or direct purchase link?
• Does the  website have an irresistible offer?
• Have I found  out what my market really wants  and really needs?
• Have I  provided them with the only option for  its provision – from  me?

The best way to then answer these questions is to make  the immediate changes that need to be made to your website and then see how  many more enquiries/sales/consultations will now start to flow through and  into your inbox.

Source: www.abrahams.com