Four Basic Standards of Successful Websites

When thinking about your new or current website for your small business, take into consideration the following basic four standards for a successful website:

1.  Get to know your target audience

Ask yourself – Who do I want to reach through my website and what reasons or functions will it serve?  Realizing and really considering what your target audience will desire and require – not just what you desire – is an essential first standard to success.

2. Simple, yet Functional

Your website should be very user-friendly and be extremely functional as well as attractive.  No cluttered up pages that causes your potential customers a headache just trying to maneuver through your website.  Use the designer’s motto of, “Less is More.”

3.  Plan out Design, Structure and Purpose

Planning ahead before you even start building your website, will save you valuable time.  Think about the design.  How many pages will you have?  What do you want the pages to do?  Will you want hidden pages to serve additional functions or added details?  Planning through all of this before creating your website is a sure way for success.

4.  Know Basic Audience Flow

Now, you need to ask yourself what you want your visitors to find and do on your pages.  What call of actions – like shopping or hiring you for a service – might need to appear noticeable by being placed at the top right-hand corner of your website?  Is there anything that may be less important that could be placed on a sub-page from a drop down menu?  Will you need a search box?  Social media connections?  Images?  Plan ahead about how your target audience will use your site and accomplish your desired actions.

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