Website Design & SEO

There are many different types of website design.  Some companies offer do-it-yourself options while others take total control over the project from start to finish.  It’s important to know the options and have the knowledge to choose what’s right for your business.  For the purposes of this blog post, I will focus on template design, custom design package, and a fully customized website.

If you’re just starting out and need a website, a template might be a good option. This will get your information online quickly and without costing you a premium.  Make sure to check the monthly or yearly hosting costs and ensure you’re not signing up for a long-term contract.  Template designs are basically like a brochure online.  They are often difficult to improve when your business grows, so you want to ensure that you can move on at any point.  You will most likely be responsible for providing and placing all copy and photos into the site yourself.  You should always look through samples of other sites made by the same company or software.  Its important to be realistic about how your site will turn out based on the other sample sites. Finally, ensure that changes can be made to content easily and quickly if needed, and that resources are available to help you if you have problems.

Many companies have packages to choose from for website designs.  These packages usually have specific requirements such as copy writing or photography to be supplied by the client.  This is usually more costly up front than a template, but if the site is made correctly it should be able to grow with your business.  It’s important to allow proper planning time to ensure the site will fit your needs.  It is also extremely important to look through the company’s portfolio to see what other sites they have created look like.  Most likely, your site will be similar to the sites already created by the same company. You will want to ensure the quote includes revisions to the sites design and content, along with some SEO done upfront. Another thing to ask about is the turn around time and the things you need to provide for the project to run smoothly.  Most website designers or companies will require you to provide all the copy, photos, and pages to be included in the site up front.  This means that you will need to write about your business in a way that speaks to your customers productively.  Lastly, you want to ensure the hosting cost is reasonable and you will have access to the site files if needed.

If you choose to let the experts learn about your business and completely take over the job of creating your website, you will want a fully customized design.  With this type of service, the company will do everything from research up front to fully completing your site without much help or requirements from you.  If you want a website that will be profitable and more professional than your competitors, you will most likely want to ensure the company knows how to market and advertise your business online.  To have a profitable website, it needs to be creative, energetic, and dynamic.  This means you will want to choose a company that has a background in advertising and will help you develop your site around your clients needs.  You will want a company that will help write your content and choose professional photos.  The difference between a website made with an advertising background should be noticeable.  It will persuade customers to contact you and purchase your product or services. The site will actively communicate your competitive advantage and clearly tell customers what to do next. A site designed by a company that does these things will be the most competitive and profitable website.  This process will also be less stressful for you because you will not be required to provide all the content for your site.

Overall, you will want to work with a design company that is helpful and has a teacher’s heart.  You will want a company that takes the time to educate you to make the best decision without pushing a certain solution.  In the end, you know your business needs better than anyone, and you should have the knowledge to determine what is best for your website.  Always remember that the company’s portfolio is the best way to determine their talent when it comes to designing websites.

Written by:
MCMultimediaDesign.com

E-commerce, the sale of products or services over the internet is a vastly growing division of our economy. With an expected $156 Billion in online sales expected in the year 2009, many businesses are considering the investment of selling online if they have not already stepped into the online marketplace. With many aspects to consider and the uncertainty of results, selling online can be an overwhelming task at first glance.

Here are some things to consider:

1.  Are your products or services unique and hard to find?
The more unique your products are, the easier it will be to market and sell them online. Many times, we find that products are in high demand in other parts of the country or world, even when our clients think they have fully tapped their market.  Just because you may have a lot of local competition, does not mean that your products are easy to find in other parts of the country.

2.  Is there a demand for your products or services online?
After some research is done, we will be able to tell how many consumers are searching for your products online.  This will help determine the demand for your products or services and the extent of your online market.

3.  How much competition is online for your products or services?
We can also research the number of competitors that are fighting for top rankings to sell similar products online.  Before selling online, you will want to ensure that the market is not flooded with others trying to sell your same products.

4.  Will you be able to beat your competition online with either price, quality, or customer service?
Whether or not you have a lot of online competitors, it will be essential for you to have a competitive advantage.  This can usually be obtained by having more competitive pricing, quality, or service.  This is one way to ensure that you are setting yourself apart from your competition.  Consumers know they can get a better product for a better price and will shop until they find it.  If you can obtain an advantage over other sellers, you will surely capitalize in the online marketplace.

Michelle C. Bruss
MC Multimedia