The Birth of a
Professional Web Site Part Four Essential Web Site Components
Although the Internet has provided a wealth of opportunity
for all of us, it has also created a breeding ground for scam artists. Internet
users are very reluctant to make purchases online, and share their personal
information.
For this reason, you must take every opportunity to convey your professionalism
-- from your web site, products and services, to your customer service, each
will play an important part in your success.
The moment your site loads, your visitors will have an instant reaction --
your site will either convey your professionalism or your amateurism. If
your site doesn't look professional, your visitors may leave your site
prematurely and never return.
If you're not confident in your ability to design a professional looking
web site, it would be in your best interest to hire a professional.
In addition to having a professional appearance, a professional web site
should possess the following essential components:
Domain Name
In order to establish credibility, you must be willing
to invest in your own domain name and professional web hosting. Web sites
hosted on free servers are not taken seriously and will suffer a serious
loss of business. Your visitors may feel that if you don't have your own
domain, you may not be a credible company. They'll simply take their business
elsewhere.
Professional Logo
A professional looking logo is an absolute must. Not
only will it give your site a more professional appearance, but it will also
enable your visitors to recognize your brand.
Your logo should be displayed in the top left corner of each page of your
web site.
If you're not confident in your ability to design your own logo, you can
get a professional logo designed for just $25 at gotlogos.com.
http://www.gotlogos.com
Theme-based Content
Your web site should focus on a specific subject and
provide a variety of information that relates to the subject. For example,
if your web site focuses on dog grooming, your pages might include all of
the following:
• Dog grooming articles
• Dog grooming ezine (newsletter)
• Dog grooming tips
• Dog grooming accessories
• Links to Dog Grooming resources
• Dog grooming news links
• Dog grooming photographs
Content comes in a variety of forms including news, articles, tips, horoscopes,
weather and resource links. Although fresh, original content is preferable,
there are a variety of free resources available on the Internet that will
provide you with free content.
The following web sites provide free articles for publication:
Web-Source.net
http://www.web-source.net/articlesub.htm
Mega-Success
http://www.mega-success.com
Marketing Seek
http://www.marketing-seek.com
The following web sites provide free syndicated content:
Syndicator
http://www.web-source.net/syndicator.htm
isyndicate
http://www.isyndicate.com
Moreover
http://www.moreover.com
Screaming Media
http://www.screamingmedia.com
Email Capture
Collecting your potential customers' email addresses
is an absolute must. Whether you publish an ezine, provide web site and/or
product announcements or tips, you must take every opportunity to capture
your visitors' email addresses.
Display a subscription form on every page of your web site.
Privacy Policy
Internet users are becoming more and more concerned with
their privacy. However, there is something you can do to ease their minds.
Create a page on your web site called "Privacy" and let
your visitors know exactly how you will be using the information you collect.
This page should include an explanation of all of the following:
• How do you plan on using their information?
• Is their information sold or shared with a third party?
• Why do you collect their email address and how will it be used?
• Why do you track their IP address?
• Let your visitors know that you're not responsible for the
privacy issues of any outside web sites you may be linking to.
• Why do you use order forms and what do you do with the information
acquired?
• Do you run contests and what do you do with the information?
• Do you have a discussion forum or message board? Let your visitors
know that any information that is disclosed in these areas becomes public
information and
that they should exercise caution.
• Do you have security measures in place to protect the loss,
misuse and alteration of the information under your control? If so, let your
visitors know.
• Let your visitors know how they can opt out of your mailing
lists.
• Provide your visitors with your contact information should
they have any questions about your privacy statement.
About Page
An "About" page is an essential part of a professional
web site. Your potential customers want to know exactly who you are.
Create a page to add to your web site called "About" and include all of the
following:
1. A personal or professional biography
2. A photograph of yourself
3. A complete description of you and/or your company
4. Your web site and/or company objectives
5. Your name, address, phone number and email address
It is very important that you include an "About" page -- especially if you're
selling a product or service. You must do everything in your power to put
your visitors' minds at ease.
Testimonials
A great way to build your credibility with your potential
customers is to display your customer testimonials. Include your customer's
name, email address and web address with
each unsolicited testimonial to increase believability.
You can find a nice script that will rotate your testimonials at Willmaster.com.
http://www.willmaster.com/?wsnet
Money Back Guarantee
To further increase your credibility, you must completely
remove your potential customers' risk. Provide them with a solid, no risk,
money back guarantee. This will put their mind at ease by building their
confidence in you and your product.
Feedback
Many times, potential customers will have questions about
your products and services. Instead of displaying an email address on your
web site, consider using a feedback form.
Create a page on your web site called feedback and place a form on this page
to enable your visitors to contact you.
Your personal response to your potential customers can literally determine
whether or not you're going to make a sale.
You can find a nice feedback script at Willmaster.com.
http://www.willmaster.com/?wsnet
Secure Server
If you're processing your customers' orders online, you
must place your order form on a secure server. Not only will a secure server
protect your customers' personal information, but it also provides him/her
with added confidence in placing an order with you.
Copyrights
Display your copyright information at the bottom of each
page. It's best to include both the word Copyright and the © symbol,
as some countries don't recognize one or the other.
Your copyright might look like this:
Copyright © Year Company Name
By taking the time to ensure your site possesses these essential components,
you will increase your chances of success considerably.
(Continued in part
five)
Copyright © Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print,
in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author
bylines are included.
Part Three
Part Five
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