It’s a new year and many of us are thinking about updating or creating a new website. Whether you do it yourself, or have someone do it for you, spending a bit of time before you jump in can save you Time and Money!
1) Know what you want
It’s important to understand what you want a customer to do when they land on your home page. For example, are you providing information, do you want them to sign up for something, do you want them to contact you, do you want them to see what other customers think of you? All of this information is key to understanding what message you want to communicate to those that come to your site
2) What makes you different?
Why would someone buy from you? What is your unique value proposition? Have you developed a tagline that helps to draw your visitors in?
3) Tell your story
Trust is key in a buyer/seller relationship. People are drawn to stories, and they help to personalize your site and create a trusting relationship with potential customers. Tell your story and make it your ‘About’ page.
4) Describe your ideal client
Who is your ideal client. Where does he/she live, what does he/she do, what is important to him/her? If you understand who you are selling to (your target market) you will be better prepared to target your site to that group.
5) Keywords
Keywords are how people find you. Figure out what they are, and then use them often. In your blog posts, your tweets, your site content, your site’s meta data and any other marketing material you develop.
6) Consumer motivation
We all think our business ideas are the best thing since sliced bread, but unless they a) solve a basic need, b) solve a problem, or c) make someone feel good, nobody is going to care. Figure out which of the above your business fits into, and then focus on the ‘how’ when writing your website content.
7) Organize your stuff
There’s nothing worse than looking for something and not being able to find it. Save time and money by organizing all of your stuff – pictures, logo, previously developed marketing material such as brochures. This will also be helpful to your web designer if you’re not doing it yourself.
8) Customer testimonials
Happy customers are usually willing to provide you with feedback, but you usually have to ask for it. Don’t be shy – go out and gather those accolades now. They will help to develop a trust relationship with potential customers.
9) Social Networks
Are you connected? If not, you probably should be. Word of mouth travels quickly and one of the best ways to stay front of your customers is to be active on facebook, twitter, and linked in to name just a few J
10) Contact information
Last but not least, have all you contact info handy especially if you’re getting someone else to build your site for you!
The full MiBec Communications web development checklist can be accessed at www.mibec.ca . Look under the “freebies” tab
Post by: Judy Ranieri – MiBec Communications
www.mibec.ca
www.smallbizcafe.ca
@smallbizcafeTO
www.facebook.com/smallbizcafe
Great post Judy – thanks for sharing your great tips.