Essentials of Small Business Website Development
By
Alfred Winston
It is difficult to imagine that just about a decade and a
half ago the internet was unknown to most people. It has grown significantly
since, from just a means to quickly communicate through email to what it is
today – a powerful platform for ecommerce. Today the internet is the way to do
business. Any modern business from multi-national behemoths to the smallest
start-up cannot survive without an internet presence through its website.
A website is the platform through which a company makes
itself known, communicates about itself, its missions and goals, products and
services. It is the internet that today’s customer visits for information, to
see what is available and at what price. No successful business, however small,
can afford not to have a website. If you own a business today, your customers
expect that you have a website through which they can place orders, track
shipping details or simply ask for more information. Modern businesses would be
at a tremendous disadvantage without a website.
Website development is a skilled process which is why most
small businesses entrust the development to a professional. It is not sufficient
merely to have a website, but also one that attracts customers and encourages
them to remain and explore what your business has to offer and why they should
do business with you. So what are the essentials a small business website must
have?
Accurate search results: Your website must have search
buttons and these must deliver precise and correct results. Any search result or
query must reach the relevant product page. This feature will help narrow the
customer’s search. There’s no bigger turn-off than a query leading a customer to
a host of inaccurate solutions.
Structured and defined paths: A customer becomes frustrated
in the absence of a route to guide them. A well defined and structured path is
the solution. Your website could simplify the process with a flowchart which
directs visitors and helps them navigate through the various web page
developments.
Product buttons: Product buttons on the home page are a
must. This feature helps customers to zero in immediately on the appropriate
product page. It also saves time and annoyance and speeds the purchase decision.
Pricing: A smooth and trouble free experience on your
website encourages a customer to stay with it. There’s nothing more annoying to
a customer than to have to navigate through numerous pages to get the product
information they are looking for. It’s a good idea upfront to display product
prices so that fewer clicks are required which enhances the chance of a quick
purchase.
Other essentials relevant to website appearance are:
Layout: Confine your website to a standard layout. Avoid
multiple frames on a single page, and above all avoid the customer having to use
the horizontal toolbar to access and read the full text. Such layouts tire a
reader who would prefer a less demanding experience.
Fonts: Use fonts that are easily readable. Avoid using
multiple fonts which look amateurish. 3 font types are the maximum, one for the
headings, another for text and the third to highlight critical information
within the text. Stick with standard fonts that make the content more appealing.
Graphics: Confine each image to between 10 and 12 KB
because a customer has no patience with slow loading pages. The images on your
website should be relevant to the content. Avoid moving or blinking pictures
which tend to annoy visitors encouraging them to move to the next site.
Advertising: Visitors come to a website for specific
reasons and get overwhelmed with excessive advertising which detracts from the
content. Advertising earns revenue but defeats the purpose if it turns off
visitors.
With these few essentials in mind, a small business would
have a well-designed and effective website assured to give a visitor a
user-friendly experience.
About the Author:
Forix is a Portland Web Development company offering web design and
development services. The
Portland Web Design company is highly experienced in design of informational
& eCommerce websites for small businesses and startups. Call toll free
1-800-818-2361 for details today!
Article Source:
ArticleRich.com
