Your Web site needs to speak to potential clients as a representative of your company as well as serve the needs of current clients.
A Web site can create a desired image for a business, yet it needs to fit the company as well as its target market in order to be an effective tool.
Having a technological edge on competitors is critical in today’s business world. A well-devised Web site may be the edge you need.
Creating an image
A Web site can create a desired image for a business, yet it needs to fit the company as well as its target market in order to be an effective tool. Make certain it is cohesive with the established brand. A well-devised Web site can make a small company appear larger or give a start-up company an ‘experienced’ feel. Web sites are often the first impression of a company. Make it a professional and powerful impression.
Credibility
An effective image combined with detailed explanations of a company’s services can solidify a potential customer’s opinion to buy a product, hire or have an initial meeting with the company. Use your site as a catalyst to boast about the company’s successes or highlight impressive projects to give an overview of your qualifications.
Readily Available
Statistics show that more consumers search online than use the traditional “yellow pages.” All of your company’s contact information, services and general information needs to be available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If a current or potential client has a general question regarding the company or its services, the information should be available to them after the office is closed.
Points to Remember
When an effective Web site is implemented, it can be a superior marketing and advertising tool. To maximize its value, make sure that it receives all exposure possible by putting the site address on all company materials such as letterhead, brochures and business cards, and check often to make sure it has good search engine placement. Make your company easily accessible – only a click away.
Crash Course on Web sites
HTML
Each page is hardcoded and information is not updated by a database.
Pros: Information does not change, easily read by search engines and works on all browsers
Cons: Needs to be updated manually
Dynamic
Pulls information from a database.
Pros: Easier, newer content, good for continuously updated information
Cons: Requires more upfront programming and database support
Flash™
A program that allows Web sites to have extensive motion, graphics and sound.
Pros: Good for promotional and presentation uses
Cons: Not good to use for a full corporate site, not easily read by search engines, requires flash plug-in for user and can be overwhelming for user