Building a Website
As we have said earlier, there are two choices when it comes to internet marketing: you can advertise on an already existing site or you can put up your own website. While the first is probably the easiest route to take, the latter certainly has a greater potential of success. Building a website is an easy process, regardless of whether or not you know how. Although knowing html, java and being familiar with web design is beneficial, there is a large amount of website building software to chose from that will make the beginner seem like a pro.
If you'd like to know more, many of books and online resources are available to help you understand everything from design principles to finding a place to host your website. Our site is one of them, but as you will find, it's the only one you'll need.
Here are some of the key factors involved in building a website:
Identify the Audience:
Before you jump straight into the design stage, you must first identify the particular group that the site is aimed at. All decisions made thereafter with regards to content and design of your website will be based on the audience it's intended for - the final product for a children's site will be dramatically different from one that is aimed at teenagers.
Create a Profile
The next step is to identify the wants and needs of your potential audience. Put yourself in the position of a person that may be interested in your product or service. What would you like to see on the website? What would be helpful / interesting? Knowing what your visitors want puts you in a better position to satisfy them.
Organize your Content:
Remember that giving the user more than they've asked for is not always the way to go. Give the reader a choice of related topics but be sure to always keep the objective of the site in mind. Don't try to combine two individual topics that just don't mix. Make an effort to organize your information in a way that makes sense, with easy transition from one page to the other.
Proofread your content; grammatical errors and spelling mistakes don't make a good impression.
TIPS:
- Make sure your index page is appealing to its visitors; this will be the most visited page on your site.
- Pick a font that is easy on the eyes. Do you squint when trying to read the pages?
- Include a menu so that users can easily navigate through your site.
- Check your site for broken links.
Website Design:
The design of your website should be clear and effective and will either attract or turn away your visitors. Your decisions as to the layout, particularly the site's color scheme should be based on the type of individual the site is intended and their profile. If the site is for kids, bright and colorful pages will stimulate their minds; if it's a business-oriented site, tone it down a little - a bucket of gold at the end of a rainbow won't impress a business owner much.
TIPS:
- Your site' color scheme, regardless of the intended audience, should be made up of no more than 3 colors to make it easier on the eye.
- Optimize your graphics to increase loading time for your site.
- Make your site search engine friendly.
These are only some of the many things to consider when building a website. Whether you're a beginner or have mastered this skill, you're may find some useful tools in our webmaster tools section.
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