Web Design: the bedrock of online marketing
I offer professional web design in the Gastiona, NC area. Update your site with the latest web technologies: CSS, AJAX, Flash, Adobe Flex and more!
Remember the story of the Fortune 500 CEO who hired his fourteen year old nephew to build the company website? Whether this tale was true or just popular fiction, it belongs to the dark ages of internet history. There was a time when almost anyone was qualified to build a good website.
Today, web standards and internet best practices have elevated web design to an established art form. While there is still plenty of room for creativity, current state-of-the-art sites are built by web professionals.
Web design software is not enough
There is no shortage of "build your own website" software packages, so in theory, anyone can create a website. By the same token, your local Sears store will sell you the tools to perform a major overhaul on your car. Just because you have the tools, doesn't mean it is a good idea for an untrained person to try to rebuild a transmission. Neither is a good idea to hand the responsibility of building your web presence to someone without adequate knowledge. Just because they have the tools...well, you get the idea.
Of course your car is only transportation. Your web site could be the very heart of your marketing efforts. A successful online site can make your business wildly successful. Which is more important to you?
Don't try this at home...
No matter what trade they are in, savvy business owners know that the internet has become an incredible marketing tool. If you don't have an online presence, you are leaving money on the table every day. To be successful, however, it takes more than just a mere website. Your web presence must be designed to reach your potential clients and convert them into repeat customers.
Unfortunately, I see far too many businesses whose internet marketing efforts are largely wasted. Often their sites are poorly designed. Even when they are technically well built, however, the site isn't designed to attract (and keep) customers. The content is second-rate and all about themselves and their company. Prospective customers don't feel the company cares anything about them. Basic information is lacking.
Give your customers what what they want...
How do you contact the company, where are they are located, what are their hours, do they ship out of state (or out of the country); these are the things people want to know. Many times, these important facts are missing or hard to find -- but a seven paragraph mission statement is prominent.
Remember, your customers care about themselves!
Most customer's could care less about your company's mission. They want to know what you can offer them, whether you have what they want in stock and whether you have the experience and know how to install whatever is they want to buy.
Ask yourself these three questions
Is your site really first class? Does your site comply with modern web standards and best practices? Are you satisfied that your site is successfully transforming web surfers in paying customers? If you answered no to any of these questions, don't hesitate to give me a call at (704) 678-8882. Let me show you how you can turn a low performing site into a true marketing machine.
You can also contact me via email at tom@adventuresindesign.com. Every business needs a first class web presence. Talk to me to see how together, we can make that happen.