Many people get pretty caught up in the size of their website. Size isn't everything, although it is something, so I want to describe here what a basic website might include so you can stop thinking it needs to be more than it does. Before I recommend anything, understand that someone else may give you a different opinion than I do. I would say you should listen to all of the opinions you want to and then decide for yourself what works. There is no hard and fast rule and there are certainly internet marketers who have made millions of dollars with a single page sales letter style of website.
For the average person, using a one page sales letter may not be the approach they prefer, so in lieu of that, here is what I would do.
First, you need a home page. Contrary to what most people think (and do), your home page isn't about you. It's about what you have to offer to your web visitor. It's focused on benefits, not features, and should include a way for the visitor to give you their contact info (called an "opt-in"). It should have enough content to be informative and should be welcoming.
Your home page should have a clear "call to action". A call to action is when you ask your visitor to do something. There are four basic things you want a visitor to do---call you, email you, buy your products/services, or give you their info so you can follow up with them (so they can later call you, email you....you get the picture).
Next, you need a Site Map. A site map is a page that lists all the links to all the pages within your site. This helps people get around your site easily and works wonders for the search engine spiders. Look at the SEO tip article in this issue to find out more about site maps.
Next, you need an "About Me" page. People crave connection. They want to know who you are and why they should buy from you instead of someone else. This is especially important in a competitive market, where many people sell a very similar product.
The same reason you pay $4 for a small box of Girl Scout cookies is the same reason why you should have an "About Me" page. People buy from people they like, know, and trust. People like to know that their money and time is going to a worthwhile endeavor. And yes, people judge whether you are worthwhile or not before they buy from you. Help them to judge favorably.
On your "About Me", tell your visitor why you do what you do, what led you to where you are today, and what your business and life philosophy is. You can tell them about your kids, your hobbies, your mission. Let them know you. Become a real person to them. Make it easy for them to want to do business with you.
Next, you need a "Contact Me" page. Being accessible and available to your visitors shows that you are plugged in to the process. Depending upon your business, you would include your address, phone number, and email. If you do not have a separate physical address for your business than your home, you may not want to include that, but can get a P.O. Box instead. Same with the phone. Use the numbers that you would for your business. If you don't want them calling you, don't include it.
One caution on email addresses. There are evil spiders out there too, ones that comb through all the websites on the Internet looking to "harvest" email addresses to be used for spamming. There are a couple ways to solve this. You can write out your email address with all words (no @ or .com) like this "my name at mywebsite dot com" so it is not a direct link to your email. You can also create a form that people fill out that then gets directed to your email behind the scenes where the evil spiders can reach. Or, you can include your email inside a graphic (which spiders can't read) so your web visitors can cut and paste the exact address out of the graphic and plug it into their email system themselves.
Next, you need a legal page. This page lists your privacy policy, your official business information, your opt-in/out policy, your 3rd party link policy, your refund policies, etc.
The legal page helps not only add a true professional touch to what you are doing, but it also gives people the information they need to resolve some of the more serious issues that might come up.
Last, if you are selling products and want visitors to be able to order from you automatically, you will need an on-line method for selling. You can sell products without an automatic method, but in general the idea is to make it easy for your customers to get what they want quickly and easily.
For a quick a dirty method, get yourself a storefront on Ebay. You won't need a shopping cart set up or a merchant account outside of their system. It's affordable, easy to use, and easy to get set up.
Keep in mind that there are numerous templates available that are free to affordable that will do this all for you quickly and easily. Check them out because they really are great. Don't let your inexperience with programming stop you from having a polished looking website.
|
Contributor's Note
The tips are designed to help the Internet newbie. I hope you enjoy them!
|
