Websites across the internet vary in STYLE, COMPLEXITY and FUNCTION. Yours doesn't have to be High-Tech and Expensive to attract visitors, to provide useful information, or to become a valuable resource for visitors AND employees. With the right combination of design and content, your site can be one visitors will return to regularly. Whether you choose to acquire a new website, or improve the one you have, here are somethings you need to consider to ensure an effective site:
1. What is your website’s function?
Do you want to drive foot traffic to your brick-and-mortar-business, generate phone calls, or are you hoping to sell a catalog of products online? Will your website provide information to visitors, or will it build your opt-in list?
DESIGN GALLERIES
Advertising/Promotion: Booklets Brochures Business Cards Direct Mail Packaging and Labels Postcards and Rack Cards Posters Sellsheets and Flyers Signage Web Services: Websites/Reworks Banners Email Marketing Brand Development: Logos/Reworks Corporate Identity Custom Images: Editorial Photography Photo Illustration Photo Editing Stock Photography Digital Illustration Vector Images
2. Considering a "D-I-Y" (Do-It-Yourself) website?...
Unless you have been offered to have your website designed AND built for free, you're probably wondering about those television commercials promoting "FREE" and "EASY" Do-It-Yourself websites and hosting packages. While it's true that being able to build and update your own site is a real convenience, it is also true that there is very little about the Do-It-Yourself website that is actually free in the longterm, or convenient (unless you know how to navigate their site-building dashboards). Most DIY templates come with a rigid selection of layouts, images and color options - and can be complicated to figure out. If you are technologically savvy (comfortable working with code, css, managing image files, etc.) then it's possible to create your own unique site by customizing the provided templates. Otherwise you may find that managing the content is consuming time crucial to running your business - and you are still not satisfied with the results. Also, at the end of 30 days you'll find the site is no longer free and it's time to choose a hosting plan. Most hosting plans are pretty competitive in pricing. But some offer a wider selection of So...before opting into a "free" D-I-Y web site, please consider the following:
• Are you comfortable with navigating the various settings of the D-I-Y dashboard?
• Once built, do you have time to manage your web content - consistently? (Adding new articles, and relevent images; maintaining blog, refreshing albums, etc.)
• Do you have a ready supply of professional quality images that represent your subject matter (or photo editing software for the occasional but necessary image corrections)?
• Are you familiar with how to optimize your website and improve your placement in search engines?
• Do you have the time needed - and do you understand the process - of collecting analytic data and converting it into the necessary improvements to your website?
• Does your hosting package offer valuable extras for Advertising, Accounting, SEO, Inventory, and Tax records?
Hamilton Associates can bring the DIY process within your reach. For half the price of a custom Hamilton Associates website, we'll tackle the initial set-up, and familiarize you (or your representative) with management of your site, so that your business or organization gets a professional looking and functioning online presence you want, but has been built for your full control.
3. Is your website Attractive?
Are the colors and images appealing, well lighted and well defined? Is the text easy to read?
Here are some of our flash animated banners at work:
They're perfect for energizing a website, (and for an eye-catching advertisement).
Hamilton Associates provides the following services to our clients: Social Profile Design, Facebook Application Development, and Page Set-up for Facebook and Twitter (custom page background), as well as set-up of Google Maps and Google Places accounts. Email: jocelyn@hamiltongraphics.com to create a social profile image and set up a profile page for your company or organization.
MORE INFORMATION
Call, or email Hamilton Associates for more information about developing an effective online presence; useful data from your website that can help guide your marketing strategy and maximize your budget; the many ways your website can be monetized; FREE applications to expand your organization's presence on the web.
We invite you to review our recent Web and Web Marketing portfolio: WEB GALLERY
Call Hamilton Associates, 302-629-4949 for your free first consultation. Let us help you get more value from your new or re-worked website, and help with setting up: 1) your domain, and 2) the hosting package that fits your website needs.
