NSW Central Coast Small Business have a basic choice when considering web design. The two most popular types of websites are the traditional static website, or a blog site. There is a third hybrid website where we use a Blog for information, while hosting specific landing and sales pages outside the blog structure.

Elements of Website Design

When creating a website, part of what you are looking for is a general feel for your business and what it stands for, part of it is to establish you as an expert in the field through content, and part is to have content and design that gets you noticed in the search engines for terms you wish to be listed for.

Why Use WordPress?

WordPress is the gold standard blogging platform. Installed on your own domain, it is very flexible and gives you control. One of the challenges with static websites is that they require a programmer to design and modify them, and after thousands in set up costs, you can spend hundreds or even thousands to make changes.

Once set up, a WordPress blog can be modified by the business owner as they add articles and videos themselves, keeping content up to date. The design can be made to produce maximum exposure and friendliness to search engines, making it more likely your content will appear on that all important first page.

What Is A Website For?

In the case of a small business, your website serves two major purposes. One is to inform your clients of recent information, services, new product releases, etc. The more relevant knowledge you share with your clients, the more loyal they will be to you. The second is to take new prospects, and turn them into customers. For some this means having a shopping cart attached to the web site. For others, it means inspiring them to call your business. In the case of local businesses, customers looking for a service now, are more likely to pick up the phone.

Website Design Is Important.

Before you start advertising your web site, you will want to make sure that when visitors arrive, it is optimised to convert them into customers. There are many ways to do this ranging from the hit them on the head approach of infomercials, to a subtle building trust approach, the one we prefer.

When using the direct approach, you need an irresistible offer that your clients simply can’t refuse. In the case of building trust, it is the confidence they develop in your business that drives them to becoming a customer. In my opinion, this is a better long term strategy.

Elements Of A Good Website

An attractive website will include the following

1. A Banner reflecting the image you want put forward for your organisation
2. A Corporate Video where the owner introduces his/her products and services. This gives a personal touch.
3. Contact Details. These must be put in the right place in the right format. Normally we place these in the sidebar. The citation, or contact details are an important part of getting your website seen and require co-ordination with other aspects of marketing.
4. Opt-In Form. We prefer to give away something of real value in return for the client’s email address. Email marketing is a powerful way to send a series of messages to reinforce why they should do business with you. Once on the list, they can be the first to be notified about any new promotion, coupon, service, etc, and can be used to test new marketing initiatives.
5. Banner Ad. It is always good to include a banner ad to promote something you offer. It could be your most popular product/service and include a special offer.
6. Pictures. When posting articles, a picture is a great idea. It reinforces the message and gives readers a feel for what they are about to read.
7. Articles. These are sometimes as little as 350 words and designed to keep the search engines happy, or more in depth to explain why prospective clients should do business with you. Continual updating of articles is at the heart of success with websites.
8. Videos. These days Search Engines such as Google give good credit for those who use video. You can include a video in articles giving you a double whammy at getting seen on that all important first page.
9. Testimonials Or Reviews. Get some genuine review from customers and post them on your blog. Using a picture or video is even more powerful. A few great reviews can make a huge difference to your response.
10. Selection of Categories. Your Blog is divided into sections where articles on the same subject are sorted. The setting up of categories is critical to your success. This often involves an analysis of your business and those terms people search for when looking for a business such as yours. Working with the right person in this area is most important.

By now you can see that setting up a website or blog does take careful thought. When you get everything right and combine that with a sound marketing plan, you will start getting large chunks of that 90% of people who search on Google before opening the Yellow Pages.

In 2012 and beyond, it is becoming essential to have an on line presence. If you already have a website, we can add a WordPress Blog to it to get more traffic, or if you have a Blog, it can be jazzed up and adjusted to give you the maximum traffic.

John Gaydon has 7 years on line experience. He has become an expert in Small Business SEO. During that time he has successfully sold over $0.5m of his own products, and helped many more gain customers. He is now turning his attention to helping a select group of local businesses get that first place on Google for their category. John can be contacted using the information below.

Personal Energy Management Services

36 Conroy Crescent

Kariong NSW 2250

Australia

Phone: 1 300 301 014

Email: localsearchgosford@gmail.com

We hope you enjoyed this article about Web Design Services on the Central Coast of NSW.