| Web sites serve many purposes and in today's | | | | relevant - remember the 2.2 second factor. |
| fast-paced world of instant information, you have | | | | People searching for specific information usually |
| about 2.2 seconds to capture a visitor's attention | | | | want it immediately and generally will not spend |
| before they are off to another site. My Web | | | | time searching through page after page to find it. |
| Fundamentals Series begins with the foundation; | | | | The key here is to provide enough information to |
| building an effective web site and takes you | | | | grab their attention and once you draw them in |
| through a step-by-step approach to planning and | | | | and contact has been initiated, that's when a |
| building a web site, then progresses into helping | | | | more in-depth dialog can begin. Content is also |
| you launch a successful web campaign. This article | | | | relevant for the placement in search engine |
| touches on a variety of topics and is not meant | | | | results (again this topic will be covered in more |
| to be an all-inclusive source but rather a basic | | | | detail in next month's issue). |
| guide to arm you with knowledge and resources | | | | Important Pages to Include |
| for building your own site or researching web | | | | Privacy Policy. Make this page accessible |
| development companies. | | | | throughout the site. I suggest a bottom link on |
| The Planning Phase | | | | every page. A good example of standard policy |
| Before you begin to build, understanding the | | | | can be found at |
| purpose of your web site is key. Some questions | | | | Contact Us. Make this page easy to find and |
| you may start with are as follows: Is your web | | | | access. You'll want to make it as easy as possible |
| site informational only? Will you need ecommerce | | | | for interested parties to contact you. NOTE: If |
| functionality? Who is your target market - is it for | | | | you intend to apply for programs such as the |
| general audiences, specific to a geographical area | | | | BBB Online Privacy Seal or TRUSTe, full disclosure |
| or vertical market? What is the message you're | | | | of your contact information is required. |
| trying to convey? Who are your competitors? To | | | | Site Map. If you have a large site, a site map |
| get a better overall picture, you might also try | | | | assists visitors in finding the specific information |
| brainstorming with colleagues or soliciting feedback | | | | they are looking for. In addition to human or |
| from your customer base. | | | | manual navigation, a site map is a useful tool for |
| Once the purpose of the site is determined, the | | | | web crawlers (spiders). This will ensure that all of |
| next step would be to determine the site's | | | | your pages get indexed in the search results. |
| structure such as navigation, customer logins and | | | | Google offers a free site map tool. |
| access, secondary menu items. At this stage of | | | | Terms (Optional). This page depends on the |
| development, think of your site as a document | | | | products or services you are providing. If you are |
| with main headings and sub-headings. Main | | | | building an informational or brochure site, it is |
| headings or menu items should consist of general | | | | probably not necessary to include. However, if |
| overview type information, sub-headings or menu | | | | you're offering downloadable information, 3rd |
| items should contain details on specific items | | | | party links or products it is advisable to not only |
| provided in the overview pages. | | | | have a terms and conditions page but to have it |
| In conjunction with the structure of your site, | | | | reviewed by a lawyer to ensure your liability is |
| start thinking about the design and content that | | | | covered. |
| will be added. This process can in and of itself | | | | Choosing a Hosting Provider |
| require a separate planning session. Some items | | | | There are several hosting options available and |
| you'll need to consider when designing: web | | | | with that much competition, the least of your |
| standards (W3C - Usability, syntax), | | | | worries would be price. Things to consider when |
| cross-platform browser compatibility (will my page | | | | selecting a hosting provider: amount of space and |
| appear correctly on Firefox (Mozilla), Internet | | | | bandwidth, dedicated or shared hosting, Windows |
| Explorer, etc.), page loading time - are graphics | | | | or Linux (Linux is open source and Windows is |
| and images optimized? (This will be covered in | | | | proprietary) and features such as scripts, |
| more detail in next month's issue, Part 2: | | | | ecommerce capability, SSL, SQL databases. |
| Understanding the Importance of Search Engine | | | | Build vs. Buy |
| Optimization). | | | | This depends solely on three (3) factors: How |
| Tips for Using Graphics and Images in Your Web | | | | comfortable you are with your skill set, what |
| Site: | | | | type of site you are planning to build, and the |
| • Graphics and images should have a | | | | time you have to spend developing and |
| purpose and be placed strategically with | | | | maintaining your web site. The web is an |
| corresponding text. They should only be used to | | | | ever-changing environment, professional |
| help convey your message. | | | | developers make it their business to stay on top |
| • Site colors should help establish your | | | | of their industry so you can stay on top of |
| corporate identity or brand. | | | | yours... no bias here :-). |
| • Consistency in colors and structure | | | | I hope you enjoyed this month's featured article. |
| should be used throughout the site. | | | | Stay tuned for next month's issue as I delve into |
| Content is king. Keep your content concise and | | | | the topic of search engine optimization. |