7 Tips for a Better Website
What are the secrets of the most successful websites? Why do a few sites suceed while the majority fail? Below are 7 tips to help you ensure your site is one of the successful ones:

1. Target Your Market
A well-designed, attractive website is simply not enough. It is crucial that you know who your market is and that you tailor your site specifically to meet their needs. To engage your visitors and convert them to customers, your site must reflect their values, speak to them in a language they understand, and provide them with an emotionally engaging experience that prompts them to take the next desired action -- bringing them closer to becoming your customer.

2. Keep it Focused
Make certain your web site is focused on your goal, whether that's selling your product or service, providing an educational resource or encouraging interaction among a specific set of visitors. A site that includes unnecessary information and does not provide a clear path leading visitors to your desired action is a site that is not likely to increase your business or help you meet your goals.

3. Use Simple Navigation
Make site navigation easy and intuitive. While you may think it's artistic or 'cool' to hide your links behind unlabeled graphics, frustrated website visitors will not generate business. If your customer cannot easily navigate your site to find what they want within a few seconds, they will go elsewhere. Limit the choices and direct your customers through an easy-to-follow process.

4. Keep it Consistent
Make sure your website is consistent in look, feel and design. It is disturbing to a visitor when the navigation moves around the page or they reach an area that feels as if they have just gone to another site. Keep navigation, colors and themes constant throughout the site.

5. Content is King
Does your copy convey the message you wish to get across to your visitors? Is it compelling to them? Does it lead your visitor through a process making it easy for them to take the next action to buy from you? call you? e-mail you? If you can't use a professional copywriter, be sure to have others (preferably someone not familiar with your business) review and edit your copy to insure it is delivering the intended message. Always double check your spelling and grammar. Spelling and grammar mistakes lessen credibility and put doubts about your business into the minds of your visitors.

6. Speed It Up
The faster technology advances, the faster people expect things to be. On the Internet, this means you have between 10 and 15 seconds to capture your potential customer's attention. If they are not engaged to keep browsing in that much time, they will lose interest and look elsewhere. Graphics need to be optimized so they load as quickly as possible.

7. Design for Search Engine Indexing
Over 85% of all web users find what they are looking for via the top 3 search engines. Make sure that your site is designed to maximize your placement. Focus on your keywords to use them as often as possible, but don't sacrifice your message. Hire a professional to optimize your site if the majority of your prospects find you via your website.

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