Think hard about what you want to get your visitors to do, then design the layout of the site, the copy (words) and the graphics to get them to do it.
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Organize your material into pages with related subjects, then decide how the pages should link together. It will probably help to sketch out a plan like the one at left. |
It's incredibly important to write interesting, informative and concise copy. If you're describing a product you're offering, for example, tell the visitor what it is, what it's for, how it's different from others offered on the net and how it will benefit the person who buys it. Don't use empty words like "the best ever". Describe the product. If you're writing about an organization, make the organization's mission clear.
If you're using a developer who provides copywriting services, you can give him or her your copy in rough or outline form. A good web developer should be able to polish your words. If you're setting up your own site, you should probably write out what you want to say on paper or in a tool such as MS Word. Of course, spellchecking is a must. It's also a good idea to get your friends, employees or anyone who owes you a favor to look over your copy and make suggestions. You'd be amazed at what other people spot that you just didn't think of.
In addition to creating copy, you need to gather the photos, graphics and logos you want on the site.
It's important to use the same logos and designs you use on signs and packages and in printed brochures. This gives your company a coherent image and improved recognition. If you don't have appropriate images, you can purchase high quality photos for as little as $1 a photo at sites like www.123rf.com/. If you don't have a logo, there are lots of designers who will create one for you, or you can create your own with inexpensive software such as trellian Button Factory.
Again, make sure the graphics serve the goal of the site. There's nothing more annoying, for example, than going to a site whose purpose is to convey information or sell a product, only to be forced through an elaborate and time consuming graphic download. Also, use animation sparingly. Its purpose is to attract the eye to the most important feature on the page, not to distract the visitor.
Make sure any images you post to your website are in GIF, JPG or PNG format, and are no bigger than a maximum of about 750 pixels wide so that they will fit on smaller screens.. Also, try to keep them smaller than about 1 megabyte. Many people have cable or other high speed connection, but even a second or two can be annoying when you're staring at a blank screen. You don't want your visitors to lose patience waiting for the pictures to download.