Good Business Web design

Building a good web site is not a straight-forward task.It requires a lot of skills in many areas, including copy-writing, graphic design, organisation and marketing strategy. This article aims to provide some tips on what to look out for when designing and developing your business web site.

Checklist of essential information to include:
* Company Profile to provide information and establish trust
* Contact Information to show availability
* Products/Services to establish what you offer
* Testimonials, privacy policy and press releases to establish trust
* FAQ to save time
* Feedback (form or e-mail link) to establish relationship

Organize your contents on separate pages , with easy navigation from one to the other.

Know your message-each image should have a message or convey an idea. Decide on a visual topic sentence, then support the idea with additional details if appropriate to provide information more effectively

Most of all, remember that the Net is an instantaneous medium and the whats in it for me? factor is a strong motivating force for Internet users. Hence two things are required: a benefit-laden sales copy and a strong call for action.

I started off with a site that was aesthetically pleasing but totally ineffective because it read more like a catalogue than an interactive presentation that stimulates action.

Layout is important but equally so is content. Make your web site your online salesman - smart in appearance and articulate in words.

Layout and design

DOs
Design your site for an 800x640 screen which is the most common setting used as all Windows 95/98/NT machines come pre-installed this way.
Have easy navigation with links clearly visible
Present your information in a logical order.
Employ scannable text, using
· highlighted keywords
· meaningful subheadings
· bulleted lists
· one idea per paragraph
Avoid backgrounds
Use high quality, optimized graphics
Use tables to position the contents on the page. This overcomes the limitations of plain HTML and achieves some relative freedom in laying out images and paragraphs.
Draw viewers eyes to a particular place first-using colours, size, composition
Avoid clutter- Keep images simple
Balance but not necessarily symmetry- converging lines, alternation of colour density, other elements in the background
Image composition - maximize impact.

DONTS
Have more than 2 banners per page
Use fanciful text fonts.
Use too many graphics as this increases the loading time.
Apply strong, glaring colours - you want your visitors to be able to read your copy in comfort.
Have a busy background. For the same reson as above.Subtle, plain colours work best. If you have to use an image for your background, make it as faded as you can.

Remember, your web site is like your home or your office. Make your visitors feel comfortable and impressed and they will repeat their visits and may even publicise your site to their friends and associates...

wkm@jademultimedia.co.uk
www.jademultimedia.co.uk