A brief summary of the web elements required to develop a commercial web site that works
- Look around the web and check out designs and ideas that you like.
- Plan the number of pages that you may need as you would a brochure
- Define your "call to action" and look for easy ways to provide the necessary information
- Ensure that the page names and navigation describe the content for the site user
- Avoid big, blocks of text - use bullet points for detailed ideas
- Settle for simple and clean - skip the bells & whistles approach
- Really look at your site from the end user's perspective
- Ensure your navigation is crisp and works on as many browsers and systems as possible
- Try and settle on a clear pathway through your information to the "sale"
- Discuss your intentions with your web team and look for a realistic solution
- Build your site in stages that are affordable
- Many customers use the telephone after they've been to your web site - make phone numbers visible!
- Not all contacts will come to you by email - be prepared to ask people how they found you
- Ensure that the hosting service you have purchased is adequate for your site - fast is good!
- Make absolutely certain that you have access to tracking statistics so you can judge how your site is working and where your audience is coming from
- Enjoy the development process; there is a lot to learn and it can be a very rewarding experience!