Online for Success

There is little in the development of an online presence that is as imperative as design planning that is efficient, and keyed to the needs of your potential customers. Whether you develop your online location on your own, or through the assistance of a professional, a thorough understanding of your goals in this area must be achieved prior to the building of your property.

Success of any enterprise, be it web based or brick and mortar in nature, relies heavily upon the ability of the business operator to anticipate the wants of his or her clientelle. Doing so takes a keen understanding of the industry within which that operator resides, and a constant review of customer feedback and attitudes. This attribute is especially true in web design, as the ability to interpret the needs of your visitors is much more challenging without the face to face contact of the usual storefront scenario.

Key perspectives to keep in mind while developing your approach, then your design include the following:

* who is your customer?
* what does your customer enjoy and/or need?
* are they information or entertainment oriented?
* what standard site components will they require?
* would they prefer efficient downloads or heavy multimedia?
* what are their service expectations?
* how can we exceed those expectations on site?
* how can we ensure their return visits/purchases?

One of the most efficient means of understanding your potential buyer’s needs, especially if you are new to the industry, is to visit an array of online operations within your area of interest. Review each site with a keen eye for overall site design tactics and inclusions. Choose what you feel are the most effective target items, and incorporate the best from each of your competitors. This type of careful preparation, combined with an effective design process virtually guarantees you a seat at the top of your industry, and of course, online success.

Additional Site Design Tools There are innumerable resources available on the internet designed to assist the budding online developer in authoring a web property that is effective, appealing, and efficient. Rapid advancements in web technology have resulted in a substantial improvement in the usability, access, and quality of these resources. Online has assembled a brief summary of the better quality assistants to simplify your quest for the best property possible: Advertising Managers Ad Butler Ban Man Pro Banner & Graphics Development Netstudio AdDesigner.com Flash Development Guides & Software Flash Sitebuilder Flash Intro Builder Flashkit.com Macromedia.com Forms and CGI Script Resources FreeScripts.net ChilliScripts.com Graphics Management NetMechanic.com Netstudio Link Managers and Testers LinksManager.com Reciprocal Link Manager Newsfeed Providers Sparklit.com Moreover.com   Online will continue to add resources to our listing as they present themselves. If you have any suggestions for a resource you would like to recommend, or if you are a resource provider interested in listing your property, please contact our technical & product advisor at: alexboyd@onlineforsuccess.com   Related Subjects: Site design softwares Top ten web design tips     back to top of website design tools page

Top Ten Web Site Design Tips site design tools directory >>> Web design over the years has run the gambit from an incredibly simple, solely information oriented medium, to today’s high level multimedia destinations. For the ecommerce site reliant upon both the acquisition and long term maintenance of its visitor base, the best approach lies somewhere in the middle. The following list of suggestions should help you find that hallowed mix of speed, simplicity, and interest generation. 1. Clarity Counts The home page of an internet business must always be considered the operation’s storefront. In its development, one must ensure that this high traffic zone clearly indicates the site’s intent, and if applicable, its product lines. Let your visitors know exactly what you offer, in a fashion that is efficient, and appealing. Failing to communicate clearly and effectively in this location will result in many of your potential customers simply hitting the back button, and moving on effortlessly to one of your competitors. 2. Speed Counts Anyone familiar with the online experience understands the value of an efficiently designed, and quickly loaded site. Although this awareness is virtually universal, many site owners/designers fall victim to the desire to present as much information and graphical demonstration as possible to their visitors, in the hope that this level of coverage will convert into additional product sales. This approach may in fact result in their downfall. Site download times vary significantly across the web, and up and coming high-speed technologies such as cable and DSL indicate a future of far greater flexibility in this area. Today’s online customer does not share in that flexible approach. The majority of web users continue to use a standard modem connection, with the 28.8 modem continuing as the most prevalent. With this fact in mind, it is clear that a graphics laden site will result in download times that far exceed the patience factor of many potential customers. Studies indicate that the most effective properties boast home page download speeds of no greater than 10 seconds with a 28.8 modem. Drift too far beyond that number, and you risk the loss of a good percentage of your operation’s potential sales base. 3. Let Them Contact You Establishing a web presence that places the visitor within their comfort zone, enabling a sense of trust that can result in a purchase, is a multi-faceted process. One of the most important first steps in presenting your organization as one worthy of the visitor’s business, is the clear communication of a means of contacting you, or your customer service representatives. The most effective form of contact from the perspective of the online purchaser is without question the 1-800 number. Second on the list is the establishment of a customer service oriented email address. The most recent offering in the world of internet business is live online customer service via Java based chat windows. Regardless of your selected medium(s), ensure that their availability is clearly spelled out on every page of your site. Contact information hidden away for only the most determined searcher to find will only result in reduced visitor trust, and less potential for profit. 4. Navigation – Make it Obvious The current catch phrase in the design of web site navigation tools is "intuitive", or ensuring that site visitors can find their way around the site, in its entirety, with little or no thought process necessary. The goal is to ensure simplicity, guiding visitors to their desired destination via tools and scripts that flow seamlessly, creating customer comfort, greater product exposure through extended visits, and an improved potential for revisits and recommendations. Creating ease of navigation within your property is inevitably dependant upon the nature of that property. What may seem clear to the designer of the site, who has an inherent understanding of the nature of the site, may seem pure confusion to the newcomer. Step back often, take a look at the property through the eyes of your visitors, ensuring that you can easily see the pathway to each area of value to the guest, and equally important, a return pathway that is clearly visible. Analyze your traffic regularly for a better understanding of what is, and is not working for your visitors. 5. Provide Information to Your Guest Online properties whose intent is the showcase, and ultimately the sale of specific products often fail to address the visitors need for information on that product. Delivering specific content that answers the questions of the consumer in full will result in a far higher buy rate thant the operation that simply presents the product for sale. Content organization and presentation is key. If unable to find the the information they seek easily, they will very quickly decide to search it out elsewhere. Keep site information efficient, well laid out, and above all grammatically correct. 6. Provide Value to Your Guest Site add-ons such as a search tool for highly information based sites, or live customer service for products that generate a number of client inquiries, can play a large role in property success. Choosing to offer every tool available simply because it is out there serves only to clutter and confuse. Select your add-ons with your visitor’s wants in mind, and place them carefully based upon primary and secondary needs. Primary add-ons should be located where immediately visible upon site entry. Secondary interests can be placed in areas that require scrolling, or page changes. 7. Speak in Their Language The art of developing a successful internet business relies heavily upon the operator’s ability to make their potential clients feel at home. One means of doing this is to speak in their language. When developing your content, write as if you are communicating with your customers face to face. If your customer base tends to communicate in simple terms, then present your information simply. If you are targeting a more technical group, then speak technically. Speaking their language avoids potential alienation of clients that can develop when we present beyond their ability, or willingness, to understand. 8. Provide Options for Payment Internet purchases continue to grow from year to year, but this does not indicate that there is a complete acceptance of the medium. Negative press surrounding the security of online business transactions has resulted in a wariness amongst purchasers that continues to this day. Dealing with this issue means providing your clients as many purchase points as feasible. Credit cards, though the most popular means of online payment, continue to be viewed by some internet shoppers as "risky". Incorporating options such as order via a toll free number, print and fax forms, and alternative online payment processes like Pay Pal will ensure your client comfort. 9. Clearly Indicate Site Policies Deciding to develop, and incorporate clearly stated site policies regarding such issues as personal information use, product guarantees and returns, and shipping guidelines, can go a long way towards placing a potential buyer at ease with their purchase. Take the time to assemble your organizational approach to these issues and post those intentions for interested clients in appropriate locations. For example, privacy policies should always be clearly visible, or accessible, from any medium for data collection, such as during mailing list sign-up, or at shopping cart checkout points. 10. Tell Them Who, What, and Where Defining the nature, product line, and geographical location of your organization for your clientelle serves to address the issue of trust, by assuring your visitors that you are a real company, worthy of reliance, and not some fly by night snake oil salesman waiting for the opportunity to abuse their financial information. Successfully develop that sense of trust, and you grow a loyalty within your customer base that can serve only to enhance your business popularity, and overall online success. Would you like to use this article on your site, or have it emailed to you?   Related Subjects: Site Design Software Additional Site Design Tools     top of website design tips page

Selecting a Professional Web Designer Choosing a designer to develop your web property is without a doubt one of the most important decisions you will make in the preparation of your online business, and can have a significant impact on your overall potential for success. Effective web design is a product of experience, a keen understanding of the competitive world of ecommerce, and the technologies relative. Selection of a developer lacking in up to date technical knowledge, or one without an eye for the customer can set you quickly on the road to dot com failure. Some criteria to carefully consider when selecting your central development team include the following: Experience what properties have they developed to date? what has been the success rate of those properties? have they developed ecommerce sites, or purely information based properties? can they provide references who may be contacted? Technical Scope what development tools have they utilized in the past? what ecommerce solutions have they recommended? are all site add-ons developed in-house, or are they usually out-sourced? if out-sourced, who is the provider, and what is their range of experience? what is their comfort level with relatively new technology, such as database development, Flash development, Java? Customer Fulfillment what do they consider the determining factors in developing a customer oriented site? what steps would they take pre-development to determine the property needs necessary to customer satisfaction? what history of customer based development can they show? General what is the projected timeline for development of the property? have they experienced delays in delivery in the past? do they offer site maintenance and upgrade options? will they train the owner to administer the site, once launched? Pricing what financial commitments do they require prior to beginning the design function? what is the projected overall cost, including all recommended elements? what are the projected costs for regular site upgrades? can these projected costs be put into writing? do they provide any form of satisfaction guarantee? A careful exploration of all potential options can mean the difference between overnight success, and almost instant failure on the web. Finding the perfect mix of developer experience and pricing can be a challenge, especially for the business owner uninitiated in the technologies and terminologies of the internet. With attention to detail, any avid learner can pick up a sufficient level of knowledge to make the right decision, one that results in their online success. Would you like to use this article on your site, or have it emailed to you   Related Subjects: Develop your own website Top ten web design tips     top of professional web designer page

Site Design Software featured site design softwares and services >>> With the variety of costs associated with business startup, online or off, many fiscally cautious entrepreneurs are giving careful thought to potential opportunities for cost reduction. One area receiving a considerable amount of attention in today’s online world is the realm of site development. Costs associated with site design and building can range from as little as $149 for a single page "business card" site, to many thousands of dollars for more extensive, and feature rich projects. With all the potential avenues for investment when developing an online presence, including additional feature incorporation, location marketing, customer acquisition and maintenance, today’s online entrepreneur may give serious consideration to building all, or portions of their property on their own. Doing so can seem a daunting task for the uninitiated, especially with the level of technology available in today’s market. The true wonder of that technology, however, is that much of it has been applied toward ensuring the availability of development tools that focus entirely upon simplicity, and ease of use. The product range in today’s market is substantial. The following are examples of design/development tools available: True Development Softwares For the online entrepreneur willing to start from scratch, custom developing their site from the ground up, the following HTML authoring tools allow total control over your location’s environment. Today’s editing softwares are comparitively easy to use, with substantial training and help documentation included. Some of the most popular include: Macromedia Dreamweaver 4 Microsoft Frontpage 2002 Truly Simple Development Softwares Similar in nature to the above development softwares, this group of easy to use editors allow the relative newcomer to web technology a quick and easy means to self-develop a completed web product. Most packages offer point and click, template based options, with the ability to edit the HTML if additional customization is required. NetObject’s Fusion MX Adobe’s GoLive 5.0 Homepage Builder 5.0 Allaire Homesite 5.5 Truly Simple Development and Hosting Packages This group of online, hosted options allow the inexperienced designer a simple means of quickly generating a ready to use site that includes hosting as part of the overall cost. These packages vary in the level of customization available, and should be carefully reviewed prior to initiation of an agreement to ensure they meet with your overall business needs. Many offer a free trial period as well. Bigstep.com Idealfirm.com Homestead Professional Yahoo Store Builder   Related Subjects: Professional Design Groups Additional Design Tools Top Ten Web Design Tips     top of website design software page

Add a Search Engine featured site search engine providers >>> One of the key elements in effective site design is ensuring that your visitors are able to easily navigate your property, in its entirety. The goal should be a design that is intuitive, where guests can locate their needs, and be exposed to your products, with as little thought as possible. One key feature to allow this essential ease of access is an on-site search function. A site search tool allows your visitors to avoid the frustration of reviewing multiple pages in their quest for knowledge. Instead, they key in a simple phrase, and choose the area of specific interest to them. There are a number of tools available to assist the internet business operator in incorporating this technique, and each has its own area of application. Standard options include the following: Search tools that compile listings from within a site Search tools to utilize listings from both within a site, OR the web in general, depending on the visitors request Search tools that compile listings from ONLY outside your site, generally from a specific source engine The application you select depends strongly on the goals of your operation. Sites interested in exposure of their product will generally select a search engine that functions within their site only, in the hope that they will maintain the visitor’s attention for as long as possible. Sites that are information based often select the combination tools to allow their visitors the opportunity to further explore the web for the data they seek. Others will choose the outside only engines which often pay the site operator a small fee for each search processed through their site. Online has assembled a directory of search engine tools to assist you in assist you in bringing your site to the intuitive level, helping to ensure your online success: AtomZ Atomz.com provides one of the most powerful, free for use in-site search tools available on the market. Outside advertising is not currently applied to your search results pages. There are a variety of strong customization tools that allow for complete design control over your results pages. Upgrades are available to allow for additional control over results, password protection of restricted areas, and more. Bravenet Web Services Bravenet provides an in-site search engine easily installed and configured to meet your needs. The search tool is customizable, and free of charge. Results pages will feature a banner advertising Bravenet’s services to your search users. Google Google is one of the largest internet search engines, compiling information on millions of sites around the world. Google offers a free tool that can be configured for either in-site, web based, or combination searches. With access to the world’s largest database of online information, designers interested in providing their clients with the best of the web will be very pleased with Google’s service. Pay for service upgrades also available. Overture.com Overture provides off-site only search tools that earn the hosting webmaster referral funds for each search conducted. Search tool is restricted to off-site results generated from the GoTo directory. Sitelevel Offers a in-site search tool that is entirely customizable, manages password protected areas, all free of charge. Sitelevel will place external advertising on the results pages. Much like Overture, many of the pay for placement sites offer free, or referral income based search tools for use on your site. These generally achieve results from the pay per click site in question, but can be a means of income for the webmaster willing to explore external results. Visit our Pay Per Click page for a complete listing of pay for placement engines. Related Subjects: Add a Bulletin Board Add an Affiliate Program     top of site search software page

Add a Poll Using Software featured poll providers >>> An increasingly popular catch-phrase in the world of online success is site "stickiness" – the ability of your site to maintain its visitors long enough to expose them to your product in a meaningful way, while creating sufficient interest to generate either a referral, or return visit. Achieving this level of loyalty requires planning from the outset, and a thorough understanding of your visitor, their needs, and their preferences. The addition of a regularly changing poll to your environment creates a sense of community, the idea that the visitor is involved in the generation of information that may or may not change the face of the site, or the internet as a whole. This type of interactivity creates interest on the part of the visitor, and may draw them back for results, or to participate in future polls. As an online entrepreneur focused on repeat visits, these add ons can take a run of the mill site to a new level, with repeat visitors allowing for continued exposure to products and services, a scenario entirely necessary to your site’s end success. There are a variety of services available for the implementation of polls on your site. Online has compiled a sampling of these services below:   Bravenet.com Bravenet offers a free polling package with good customization ability, and easy installation. A link back to Bravenet will be featured in the poll area. Bravenet’s other website development services include add-on forums, java based chat, messenger, and mailing list management. Sparklit.com Formerly known as Pollit.com, Sparklit offers a very popular polling package that allows the site designer to easily customize background and text colors to match their site. Polls can be displayed on the page or in a pop-up window. Sparklit also offers additional services, including surveys, counters, and advertiser management packages. Webaga.com Providing a range of services designed to improve site stickiness through enhanced interactivity, Webaga’s polling platform is highly customizable, professional in appearance, includes installation, and is affordable for even the smallest e-business. Webaga also offers a suite of message board, and mailing list managers. Related Subjects: Add a Bulletin Board Add Live Customer Service   top of poll software provider page

Add a Bulletin Board featured bulletin board services >>> The creation of site interest is an aspect of design that can make or break one’s potential for success. With return visits playing an integral role in overall traffic, and product exposure potential, interactivity is a tool receiving significant attention in today’s online business medium. Bulletin boards, or forums as they are sometimes referred to, are a means of involving your clientelle in your site, and if done correctly, can draw your visitors back again and again, through their interest in participating in the community your site has to offer. Bulletin boards come in all shapes and sizes, and are available through a variety of providers. Options can vary from free services that allow integration of your own site’s headers and/or logos, with outside advertising often utilized to pay the provider for the service, to pay for service models that meld seamlessly with your site’s design. Many hosting providers also include scripts with your package that offer a basic model at no cost. The option you select will depend largely on the level of professionalism you wish to project, as well as the potential of such a community to grow within your area of expertise. Online has assembled a sampling of available services below: Bravenet.com Bravenet offers a free forum package with good customization ability, and easy installation. Outside advertising will be featured in the forum area to cover the cost of the service. Bravenet’s other website development services include add-on polls, java based chat, messenger, and mailing list management. EZ Board Ranked one of the top 100 sites in the world, EZBoard.com provides a variety of services in the area of community forums. Their basic bulletin board is free, and does incorporate outside advertising as a means of funding. The boards are highly customizable, and can meld well with your current site design. Low cost pay for service models without advertising are available. VBulletin VBulletin offers a robust pay per license bulletin board software that can meld perfectly with your site design. Requires installation on your server, but assistance is available for a fee. A quality product targeting medium to large sites whose intent is a completely professional and integrated design. Webaga.com Providing a range of services designed to improve site stickiness through enhanced interactivity, Webaga’s message board platform is highly customizable, professional in appearance, includes installation, and is affordable for even the smallest e-business. Webaga also offers a suite of polling, and mailing list managers.   Related Subjects: Add a Poll To Your Site Add Search Capability     top of bulletion board information page  

Submit Your Email Advertising Opportunity Online for Success invites ezine publishers to submit their email based advertising opportunity to our Ezine Advertising Directory. Listings are free, giving your publication improved visibility, and advertising sales potential. Submit your Email Advertising Opportunity: To create your listing, simply complete the following: Consider signing up for a free Online email account here. This is where all inquiries regarding your ad opportunity will be forwarded. Complete the form below in its entirety. Don’t forget to include your new free email address, if applicable. Submit. We will review all submissions for accuracy, and activate all complete listings within 7 days. Online will give priority service to listings that link back to us. If you wish to spice up your on site advertising opportunity with a link back to Online, simply copy the HTML code on the page we direct you to following your submission. Paste this code appropriately on your site and upload. If you’ve decided to utilize our free email service, return to Online regularly, log into your email account, and review responses to your posted advertising opportunity. Your Ezine Opportunity Information: Ezine Name Site Address Contact Email Address Online Free Email Address 0-1K 1K-5K 5K-10K 10K-25K 25K-50K 50K-100K 100K-250K 250K + Current Subscriber Base Daily Weekly Bi-weekly Monthly Irregular Frequency of Publication Text Ad Cost Per Issue OR Text Ad Cost Per Thousand Age & Gender Business and Economy Computers & Internet Culture & Society Education Entertainment Family & Personal Games Health & Fitness Leisure Sports Shopping Portals Requested Category Suggested Subcategory Where Did You Find Us?   press to submit     back to top

Building a Web Site for Success by Paul Barrs    It’s a strange anomaly. Most people who set out to start their own web site, no matter what type, build it for failure, not success. Crazy isn’t it? But true. They find a web site designer, tell him or here what they want – and boom – money down the pit. The saddest part in all this is that they don’t even know that they are destined for failure long before their dreams shatter and break apart. Why? The simple truth is this – “most” web site Designers don’t know squat about marketing. But – Isn’t the Web supposed to be that place where you “get on it” and cash in? Isn’t it? Hmmm. The past few years have shown us one thing: You’re either for Web-based advertising, or you’re against it. Those who are for it, have faith in the progressive technologies of the future, those who are against it have taken the time to sit back, listen and learn – more people fail Online than those who succeed. Statistics tell us that within 5 years of start up 90% of all small businesses will go under. My personal experience through my own search engine shows me that an even higher percentage of web sites will do the same. Why? Because they lack the fundamental strategies, marketing and development to plan ahead, foresee the pitfalls, and capitalize on gains. Here is a key secret to Website success. It’s “Easy to Do”, it’s also “Easy not to Do.” That applies to everything. It’s easy to do a web site marketing plan. It’s also easy not to do one. It’s easy to create a profitable web site, but it’s also easy not to create one. It’s easy to pick up the phone and call a new potential customer; or reply to an email, but it’s also easy not to do it. That one thing will determine your success, or measure your failure. However, on a brighter side, there are three specific things that you must focus on doing if your want to develop a powerhouse and dynamic web site. Those three things are: 1. Get potential customers to your web site. 2. Get those same people to come back. 3. Get them to refer their friends, family and associates. Sounds simple doesn’t it? It’s easy to do, it’s also easy not to do. And if you’re not consciously aware of this marketing reality, you’re probably not doing these three things. Let’s look at them. 1. Get potential customers to your web site. It does not matter where you are located, the differences in your product compared to your competition, or if you have a red, pink or blue roof. Whether you consider yourself competent in Internet Technology or not makes no difference. You absolutely must focus 50% of your planning time on gaining new visitors and customer enquiries. (Initially 80% if your web site is just starting) Use every method available to you. Utilise every single resource. Study and learn what it takes to get people to visit your web site. Visit your competitions web sites. Survey your visitors. Do what it takes. I know I’m pointing out the obvious, but if your head is stuck in pricing package development, or management and accounting you won’t be able to see the trees from the forest. Visitors to your web site are your lifeblood. They are your bread and butter. They represent every reason why you go Online in the first place – to make money. And it’s not your web design firms responsibility alone – you pay the bills, so the buck stops right in your office. So get them and get them quick. 2. Get those same people to come back. It’s a proven fact that most people will not buy from you on their first contact (Or even contact you for that fact). There are no exceptions to this rule. A prospective customer must have exposure to your web site an average of 5 times (depending on their readiness and buying time frame) before they will even contact you. The world of professional selling tells us that most sales closes take place on the 7th contact. What does this tell you? If you work so hard at getting new people to your web site, but then not getting them to come back – you’re building for failure. Don’t do it! Stop right now and look at your sales systems. Do they make allowances for automatic or semi-automatic follow up? Do you offer Auto responders from your web site? Do you have downloadable information that they can access. Do you use contact management software so that you don’t loose track of potential customers? Why do you think the Pro’s in your industry are the top income earners? Think about that. They keep in touch with people. Either that or they invest some ridiculously high amount of cash each month to attract first time visitors and work on the Hit and Miss ratio. 3. Get them to refer their friends, family and associates. This is the cream of the crop. When you set out in your web site, you must focus 80% of your time on getting new contacts. As your web site traffic develops, you must then change that focus to 80% gaining referrals. Referrals are the sweetest prospective customers of all. They are already pre-qualified. They already want what you have to offer. And you don’t have to spend a cent getting them! If your web site is fully operational, you can do this with a simple, click and refer a friend script. It take only moments to set up. But even more – are you ready for the kicker? You must ASK people for their referrals! When you’ve got a great package to offer, it’s fantastic. But there is really no point in working really hard to get a brand new fresh customer at great expense when all you have to do is ASK your existing customers and visitors for a few referrals. Don’t be shy. You ask, and most of them will happily give. It’s that easy. Easy to do, easy not to do. Can you see the pattern developing here, the difference between success and failure, those that do and those that don’t? All these things are easy to do. They are, really. But most people opt for the easier choice – not to do. The choice is yours. Build your web site for success with qualified customer and visitor flow and you will reap the rewards.   Paul Barrs has compiled a complete Seminar Series titled “Website Magic!”. In it you will find 10 audio tutorials covering all the essential aspects of profitable web site design, showing you how to Make More Profit in your web site business. Download it Free from: http://www.paulbarrs.com Related Subjects: Web Site Design firms, softwares, and articles Launch your online store – learn more on ecommerce     top of web site design article