10 Steps To A Complete Website: A Website Content Checklist
Launching or redesigning a website can be an overwhelming project. When laying out your website, it is important to define your website’s objective – who is your target audience and what is it you want to tell them about your business? You also want to focus on the value you bring to your audience. To do this successfully you need the following:
1) Home Page
Your home page is a visitor’s first impression of your business. It should not be cluttered, it should have appealing graphics or professional photos that are inline with your marketing objectives, and it should clearly present what value your product or service can provide. Make what it is you are selling obvious.
2) About Page
This is your opportunity to summarize your experience and/or education; and because your About Page is about you, make sure to include your personality in your description. The more authentic you are, the more people will want to buy from you.
3) Contact Page
When thinking about your Contact Page ask yourself:
- How should someone contact you?
- What is your preferred method of being contacted? I.e., email, phone, in-person or all of the above.
- Do you want to have a contact form on your website or just an e-mail address (or both)?
- Are your contact methods convenient for your customers?
Your Contact Page should be easy to find from every page of your website – because the easier you are to find, the more inclined someone will be to contact and buy from you.
If you have a brick and mortar business, this may also be a good page to include your address as well as hours of operation.
4) Services/Products/Menu Page
What is it you want people to buy from you? Whether it is a service, product or a visit to your store or restaurant, this information should be clear. This page is your chance to showcase what it is you have to offer. Make sure the products on this page are strictly yours (no third party advertisements!). If a product is only available online or in-store, or if some food items are only available for dining room patrons only, make that information clear.
5) Rates/Prices
If you are selling a service outline how your pricing works and if you do not want to list prices on your website make sure visitors know how they can easily obtain a quote.
If you are selling a product online, make sure the price is clearly listed and that any extras, such as taxes, shipping, etc. are indicated.
If you are posting a restaurant menu, you do not have to list the prices, but instead direct people to your contact page and ask them to contact you for more specific pricing information.
6) Blog
A blog page is a great way to keep your audience cognizant about new products or services that you are offering, but in an informal manner. It is also a place to write about industry trends or anything else that relates to your business. By posting consistently on your blog you are telling people that you up date your website frequently and therefore all the information there is valid and current. A blog also affirms your credibility and knowledge for what it is you do and/or the services you provide.
7) Media Page
Has your business or products been featured in print, television or on the radio? Have you written a guest post on another company’s blog or been interviewed on a podcast? A Media Page is where you list the links to all relevant media spots that help boost your business’ credibility.
8) Graphics
A professionally designed logo, banners, and any other relevant graphics should be given to your website designer. All graphics should be consistent with your messaging and match your branding (as well as match any graphics that appear on any of your social media networks). A website that is visually appealing is more likely to retain a visitor longer.
9) Social Media Links
Where can people find you other than on your website? It is important to include each pertinent social media icon/link on the footer or header of your website. This includes, but is not limited to: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram, and Periscope.
10) Newsletter Signup
Once someone has visited your website how can you keep in contact with them and include them in your sales funnel? Make sure your website has a call-to-action, such as a newsletter signup graphic that includes an enticing heading stating WHY someone would want to be on your mailing list – what value do you have to offer them?
When designing your website remember that no one likes to be confused. Keep your website simple yet make sure it contains all of the necessary information that your client needs to buy from you – and to ensure they will continue to buy from you time and time again.
Read More
5 Tips for Facebook Marketing Success
Are you getting frustrated with your lower reach on your Facebook page? Have you thought about giving up on the idea of making Facebook a key part of your strategy? While many continue are complaining about the many changes, including a lower organic reach, the masses are still using it. Facebook is still the #1 social media tool by far. With over 1.3 billion users, Facebook is a daily destination for consumers, businesses and brands.
Here are a few favourite tips to help you make the most of your Facebook business page to help you grow your business.
1) Use your “about” section wisely – This is a prime bit of real estate… use it to drive people to your website, put a call to action in it, change it up as often as you’d like as well. Keep it fresh.
2) Use link posts to drive people to your website –Business often forget their goals when they are using Facebook, all social media should drive the user back to your website. Link posts now have a larger, clickable area that helps drive people to your website.
3) Set up a custom page with an opt in box to grow your newsletter – This really is the best way to build your list. If you don’t have a mailing list, start growing it now.
4) Post engaging, interesting content daily – Don’t be all sales pitches. Post content that resonates with your target audience, make sure to ask questions and post great pictures.
5) Add a Facebook like box to your website – This might take a bit of work so you might want to get your website person to do it. You can create a Facebook like box in the admin panel of your page.
What have you done on your Facebook page that has helped you get more reach and connect with potential customers?
*As published in the Carleton Place BIA Street Beat Newsletter
Read More