Tips for Great Website Design

Great website design begins with a clear understanding of how you are going to use your website - is it going to be informational only or are you going to sell products?

If your website is going to be informational only, make sure you have the following in place:

1. Professional Website Design

The website needs to be clean, easy to navigate and visually appealing

2. Relevant Original Content

Ensure your website has as much information about your products/services as possible.  When people are searching online, they want the details right there and then.  They don't want to have to wait until they can email you or speak to you on the phone

3. Website Credibility

If you can prove your credibility, it will be a lot easier for you to convert visitors into paying customers.  This can be achieved by including testimonials, before and after shots, media articles published about your business, details of awards you have won and trade associations you belong to.

4. Search Engine Friendliness

Make sure your website contains as many relevant keywords as possible.  Include them in the title of your page, in the headings, within the content and also in your images' alt tags

5. Call to Action

Ensure you tell your customers what you want them to do when they arrive on your website.  If you want them to download a report, tell them where.  If you want them to phone you, ensure you provide your phone number

If you are planning to have an e-commerce website and sell products / services online, you need to have all of the above, but also:

6. Secure Payment Gateway

People often get nervous when it comes to leaving their credit card details online, so ensure you use a reputable service, such as Paypal for processing payments.

7. Privacy & Returns Policy

Let people know you will not sell or rent their personal details and clearly outline your returns policy.

8. Guarantee

Take the risk out of doing business with you by providing a money back guarantee.  The longer the guarantee, the better.

Remember having great website design is not just about having a good looking website, it is also about what you include on the site.

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Ivana Katz of Websites 4 Small Business makes it easy for you to get your business online.  If you're looking for a professional and affordable website designer, who can also assist you with search engine optimisation, visit Websites 4 Small Business and download your copy of a free website plan.