The Power of Website Design
I wouldn’t be in the business I’m in if I didn’t firmly believe in the power of a well designed website. Used to its potential, your business’ website can be your brand’s greatest advocate. Think of your website in terms of a mighty skyscraper. It all starts with the laying of a strong, solid foundation on which you build.
- The Foundation – That is your brand, your identity. Before you hammer in the first nail of your “skyscraper,” your brand must be clearly established and defined. Who are you? What do you make/do? Whom do you serve? How can you make their lives easier/better? Also, keep in mind that your logo will be associated with your brand. Is it effective? Not sure? Read this article on logo design and decide if yours works. bit.ly/13Z7Kb3
- The Building – Now that your identity is solidified, you need to construct your website to be more than just an online billboard. Your site must provide information and content that is valuable to users. You, via your website, need to become people’s “go-to guy/gal” in your industry. You achieve this by posting content that answers potential questions beyond contact information. There are as many ways to do this as there are different fields of expertise. John, the owner of a home inspection company, uses his website to provide pages of informative content about the issues to look for when purchasing a home. He does this in a way that seems to effectively read the minds of his potential customers. Being an expert in his field, he is well acquainted with the questions that homebuyers have, and he uses his website to proactively address them. John’s website puts him in the position of authority on these matters and entrenches him in the minds of his site users as someone who is knowledgeable and trustworthy. Additionally, it provides his site users an experience that is interactive and illuminating. Also, remember that videos are a very popular way to convey information on your website. Think of the different “how-to” videos you could post. Consider videos that offer demos of your product. The possibilities are limitless, (although it is recommended that you seek your web designer’s guidance in this. If not done optimally, a video could slow down your website’s loading time.) And do not underestimate the importance and effectiveness of blogging! What better way to show what you know about your business than to post useful articles on a regular basis? Blogging provides your potential customers with information they will enlighten them, and it allows you to emerge as the authority in your business that you are. It is a win-win!
- The Open Invitation – With a winning website now in place, you need let it attract attention and draw people in! That great blog you’re writing will be even more effective if you promote it on social media sites and in blog forums. That video you shot will bring a great deal of traffic to your website, as well as your business, if people see it linked on Facebook or view it on YouTube. Use your website to grow your email list with an invitation to receive your newsletter or e-zine. Also, don’t be shy about directing folks to your website and your business by doing interviews on local radio or on Internet forums.
When your website “blueprint” involves well-thought out methods to draw in the people who will become your customers and clients, you will construct an essential tool that attracts people, introduces you and your business, and inspires confidence and trust. From there, the sky’s the limit!
This post is from Bola Olonisakin, Creative Head & Online Strategist at GTechDesigns LLC. Bola specializes in web design and development techniques, standards and methodology. She works to enable organizations to grow their web strategy and increase the visibility of their websites. If you’re interested in improving your web presence, feel free to contact her at [email protected], or @gtechdesigns on Twitter. This post was originally posted at www.gtechdesigns.com.
