Do Your Home Work
Take a lesson from interior designers or other professionals in the home industry. Their work becomes a lot easier when clients come to them with a folder filled with examples of things they love, things that appeal to them. They quickly understand their client’s style, color preferences and details that matter. In short, it is time saving for both of them. You should consider the same when planning a web site. Surf the web looking at web sites for your profession – locally and in other markets. It can provide you with insight into web design and a sense of your design preferences.
Have a Great Home Page
Your home page is today’s store front for your business and it should be compelling and professional, encouraging visitors to see more. Let your home page express exactly what you do or are offering – without being busy. The longer a visitor stays on your site, the more likely it is that they’ll do business with you. Web design is like so many other things; you pretty much get what you pay for. A $900 web site doesn’t come with a compelling home page. Consider a custom designed web site with its compelling home page to be a necessary and valuable investment in your company’s success.
Have Your Web Copy Written By A Professional Copywriter
Let’s assume that the layout of your web site is awesome. Perhaps you’ve now chosen to write the web copy yourself or are leaving it to the graphic designer who created your web site. That could be like me redesigning my guest room – unwise. Did you know that what is “said” on a web page is as important to Google as exactly where it is positioned on the page? A professional copywriter knows what is important in creating rich web content. Well written and engaging copywriting influences visitors of your website to utilize your services or products. Professional copywriters possess the power of persuasion.
Keep Your Web Portfolio Up To Date – With Quality Photography
No one needs to be reminded that times are tough, but presenting outdated work in your portfolio does you no favors. Updating it can be exactly what it takes to make the phone ring. Even if it was an award winning or nationally published room ten years ago – if it’s out of style – leave it out. Retailers, your vendors update their lines each year and their photography is easily available to you. Dated work does not make the phone ring. Typically, neither does photography that you personally took. The crispness of professional photography sings out on a well-designed web site.
Fill Your Portfolio With Fast Loading Large Images
Let’s say that your home page is compelling. Likely, visitors are quickly moving to your Portfolio / Gallery. Know that your creativity or craftsmanship is marginalized if the gallery is filled with small images. Details matter to potential clients – and it’s larger images that express the true quality of your work. It’s also important to realize that if a visitor has to wait for your images to load – they’re gone. People don’t like to wait. A good web designer ensures that images load easily and without delay.
