By Jeanie Swisher
A web site is just another type of advertising that businesses do to get clients. The Internet is an inexpensive printing press that sends the documents in an instant to the global marketplace with no postage or printing charges. What could be better?
First and foremost, "instant recognition" on a web site is crucial to the entry page of your site. A reader will decide "at a glance" whether to read the rest of the pages or not. Scanning headlines, pictures and reading subheads allows readers to decide whether to click for more or move on to another site. You only have about six seconds to convince them that your page is worth reading.
1. Subheads--These are the "attention grabbers." They're comfortable places for the eye to grasp what is to come. It leads the reader into the main text and opportunities. They also introduce different sections of a page. Text that is broken into short blocks of material is more inviting to the reader.2. Photos and Graphics--Use these as another way to grab reader interest. Remember the old saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words." That's certainly true with web sites. By glancing at a photo or graphic, readers know instantly what the article is about and whether they want to read more or move on to another site.
3. Pull Quotes--This is another way to focus the text in the first crucial few seconds. These quotes can be an important sentence or two from the article. Or, they can be an informative quote from a person. Set these apart with highlighting or a border and they'll jump out at the readers with just a glance.
The two main factors in Web site design are the graphic layout and the marketing. A good design company is more than an "order taker" for Web sites. A page full of fancy graphics is not necessarily a good seller. Too many or slow-loading graphics can spook the reader. And if the graphics aren't well planned ahead of time for their marketing addition to the site, they can confuse the reader.
Look for a designer who will work with you and help you analyze your needs to design a site that will work well for your business. And make sure the designer can help you market the site on the Internet, as well. After all, the purpose of having a site is to "sell your company products."
Strive to give it your best shot!
Jeanie Swisher is a 30-year business veteran and president of Spectrum Publishers. RUSH for information about getting a web site for your business. Mention this article and magazine to get information about setting up your own site. Make note of the sites you like on the Internet and then contact Swisher for a proposal. Remember to ask for a FREE list on one thousand places to advertise your business. Contact:
SPECTRAWEB DESIGNERS 35 South High Street West Chester, PA 19382 (610) 431-9586 spectraweb@usa.net
