What to Consider When Starting a Web Site

By Chris Crum - Mon, 04/13/2009 - 2:25pm.

Your Most Important Online Marketing Tool

You may find it hard to believe, but there are a lot of businesses out there that have yet to build an online presence. These businesses should really reconsider this for a plethora of reasons.

Despite all of the different marketing channels you have available to you online, your site is the most important one. It all leads to your site, particularly if you are selling goods from it. When a potential customer visits your site, they will make the decision whether or not they want to do business with you, and if it unprofessional looking, the chances of them choosing to do so will be that much slimmer.

There are many, many factors to consider when creating your site, but Smashing Magazine has a pretty good little checklist of 15 things to look at when launching. This article describes the following items:

1. Favicon
2. Titles and Meta Data
3. Cross-Browser Checks
4. Proofread
5. Links
6. Functionality Check
7. Graceful Degradation
8. Validation
9. RSS Link
10. Analytics
11. Sitemap
12. Defensive Design
13. Optimize
14. Back Up
15. Print Style Sheet

Another pretty important element that I've discussed before is the domain name. Generally, the most effective domain names are easy to remember, not too long, easy to spell, relevant to the business, and reflect the brand.

Design should be a priority though. Think usability above all else. Accessibility should be on the agenda as well.

News Tags: eCommerce, Websites, Tools and Resources, web design, online business, design

About the author:
Chris is a content coordinator and staff writer for SmallBusinessNewz and the iEntry Network. Subscribe to SmallBusinessNewz RSS Feeds.

Comments

By One Way Links (SBN reader) - Mon, 04/13/2009 - 3:03pm.

Cross-Browser Checks

No3. for the Cross-Browser Checks is still one that we nearly always seem to forget until almost the last moment and then we find ourselves flicking through IE, Safari and Opera to ensure all is in standard working order. About the rest of the list, they are true to the last one of them including the importance of the domain name. This by far could ruin the site before it has even managed to get a real foot in the doorway for fear of picking up a dropped domain rather than a brand spanking fresh new one.

By Jerry (SBN reader) - Tue, 04/14/2009 - 7:31am.

Do's and Don'ts

Most of the items on the check lists might seem to be the standards. If I was to create a new site from scratch, the favicon would not be an issue as a good site without one will do really well. What I didn't see was the site architecture (URL structure and navigation structure). The rest are important and should be part and parcel of any good site/search friendly site. Great savings on building your website right from scratch.

By trade show displays guide (SBN reader) - Tue, 04/14/2009 - 9:33am.

usability

hey Chris,

I too am stunned to still find businesses without a website, but I guess it just means its less competition for those of us that know what we're doing. :)

That's an interesting list but I agree with Jerry that I wouldn't put "favicon" at the top and probably not even on the list. I would cut it to 10 or seven points, and put your point, "usability", at the top. I hate flashy sites that make no sense!

~ Steve, trade show displays guide

By Hampton (SBN reader) - Tue, 04/14/2009 - 10:17am.

start now!

It is amazing how many folks do not have a website. I agree that it is important to not only get a website put up if you have a business but to also do it right. Unfortunately with the economy the way it is, I think many small business owners will still be slow to get an online presence. This can be a mistake as the cost of getting a site up may well make up for itself many times over through increased exposure and ultimately sales.

By Lisa Hanfileti (SBN reader) - Tue, 04/14/2009 - 11:45am.

The Technology Barrier

I work with acupuncturists and other holistic health care providers -- typically a non-techie group -- trying to help them see the necessity and value of a website to market their businesses. I learned the hard way, a website is not enough. It must me properly constructed so that search engines and people can find it.

Trying to explain the important elements of a website (like those in your list of 15) to people who barely know what a domain name is, would send them packing. So if businesses aren't online yet, it's most likely due to the technology - terminolgy barrier and the feeling of overwhelm that comes with not understanding the web.

But I'm not giving up! Look for more acupuncturists with their businesses on the web in 2009!

Peace,

Lisa

By JLibbey (SBN reader) - Tue, 04/14/2009 - 12:07pm.

Content is king

"Design should be a priority" only if that translates into easy access to the content. Too many websites focus on what the designer wants, rather than what the visitor needs.

By Anne (SBN reader) - Fri, 04/17/2009 - 1:33pm.

Where's the content?

Yeesh! I see no mention of quality, original content. Sure, the above 15 factors are critical, too, but without good content why would people-- or search engines-- come to your site?

By Lesley (SBN reader) - Wed, 04/22/2009 - 7:15am.

Loading Time

Is this not an important issue too? Not everyone has a high speed connection (me included) and a page with lots of images, flash and gimmicky stuff is going to take forever to load. Bye, bye prospective buyer.

By Lesley (SBN reader) - Wed, 04/22/2009 - 7:20am.

Favicon

Regarding the Favicon, in Chris defence. Ok it may not be the 'be all and end all' but if Google, Yahoo and all the major sites have them...... I personally think that a Favicon makes ones site appear more professional when a prospective client bookmarks your site for instance. I also think it gives people more faith in ones site. Check mine out.

By DeViLnoAnGeL InFo (SBN reader) - Fri, 05/01/2009 - 4:12pm.

Content First

I think content is the first one, design somehow just for catching eye. But since someone have a knowledge with designing, of course it will be another point for building site.

What to Consider When Starting a Web Site

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