Web Content Advice
Defining the purpose of your website:
Knowing the true purpose of your website is the best way to begin putting your text and image content together and can guide the entire website development process. To define your web-site's purpose, try answering the following questions:
- What are your top products or services in order of preference?
- What is it about these products or services that is superior to competitors?
- Who is the target audience for your website?
- How will they find it?
- What is the desired response from visitors to your web pages?
- How much information is enough to produce the required response?
- How graphics heavy vs text heavy should the site be?
- How often will the text and images change?
By filling out the Afresh Questionnaire this will help both yourself and us in ensuring we get the design you are looking for. The content is up to you. A site is only as good as the content.
How your website should be structured
Before you contact us you need to decide on the structure for your web site. It would be beneficial for you to take some time to list what is the most important information that you want your site to contain.
Who will write your text and supply images?
The text and images for your website are called 'website content' and don't appear magically. Someone needs to sit down and define your business on paper, then have a good writer transform it into an enjoyable, logical and informative experience. We aim to help as much as possible but no-one knows your business like you the business owner.
With images you have a couple of options. The first is letting us digitally enhance and manipulate your own photos if they are useable. The second option is searching photo stock libraries for a range of photos and letting us use and change as needed. The third option is to hire us for professional photography to take your photos. Again, we can happily assist whether stock or freelance photos.
Writing web content
It is essential that the content is written well and is an effective communication tool.
Make sure that the focus of the page is the product or service that you are wanting to promote. Remember that a customer will log off quickly if they cannot see what they want to find in the first few seconds.
Present your important information first. You can always direct readers to a more indepth page of information about a specific product or service giving them the choice of whether they wish to read more. Pages need to be relatively short with clear headings.
Marketing
Remember that your website is a good marketing tool and all readers are potential customers therefore if you are selling a product, it is important that the description is written well to advertise and sell the goods or service.
Images
If your business is such that you can obtain photographs of your work e.g. joinery, gardening etc, it is always beneficial to take some quality images and keep gathering new and improved ones to add to the website. Images are a good tool to show readers what you can do to encourage sales and also makes your website more professional looking. Images also can act as a brochure to showcase designs or work undertaken.
Testimonials
It would also be useful for you to collect any testimonials and compliments from satisfied customers which you can add to the website. Customers always like to see recommendations from others so they feel more confident about enrolling your services.