Philosophy
In designing a
web site, I place major emphasis on these factors:
- Determining
the real objectives of the site
Web site design is neither a form of high art nor high entertainment.
It is a communications tool designed to get people moving toward a
purchase or an inquiry.
Clever ideas and presentations can make a message more memorable,
but care must be taken not to let the medium get in the way of the
message. A good communication is one that sells the idea or product
without drawing attention to itself. It should direct attention to
what is being said. Not on how it is said. The most desirable response
a communicator can ask for is not "How Clever!" but rather
"I never knew that before."
Whether it is selling a product, establishing a potential customer
contact, or just providing information to the user, the web site's
objectives should be clear to anyone who visits.
Your objective should be to win action and elicit a response from
the viewer.
- Establishing
and maintaining a "clean site"
Everything on the site must work. There should be no broken links,
or images that can't be found. All pages must present the information
the user expects to find. Visitors who cannot find what they're looking
for rarely check back.
Ease of navigation is critical.
There should be no guesswork as to where to find information.
- Ensuring that
the intended audience finds the site
Whether you wish to use conventional advertising channels or search
engines, the customer must be able to find the site. To achieve a
high ranking with search engines such as Yahoo, Excite, or Alta Vista,
the site must be designed appropriately. I have extensive experience
and tools to use with this and can get your site rated highly in the
search engines, ensuring that more potential customers find your site.
Additionally I have considerable experience in effective advertising
of web sites -- how to increase the traffic to your site in an economical
manner.
- Satisfying
the user's needs with the site
This includes factors such as speed-of-loading and browser compatibility.
The site should load quickly and appear consistent when viewed with
any combination of browser and personal display settings --
not just ones you commonly use.
The hallmark of the Internet is that the user controls their own
visit. They decide which pages they will see and in what order. They
also decide when they are tired of waiting for a site or complex graphic
to load and go on to something else. (Remember over 50% of your visitors
will see your site through a dial-up connection.)
The user must be able to glean the information they desire in a clear
and efficient manner, be able to interact with the site in a smooth
and secure fashion, and leave the site with a positive impression.
I can maintain
your site, ensure that updates are done correctly and smoothly, enhance
your ranking in search engines, manage your e-mail accounts, track your
site's visitors, and attend to the various aspects of a well-maintained
web site. You choose the services you need.
To
discuss your Internet presence, click here.
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