You will not be able to make good decisions about your website or its development if you don’t set measurable goals and targets for success from the beginning. If you haven’t already set these kinds of targets in your offline business you’ll need to start doing so, as this will help you to invest your resources, money and time more effectively.

 

Advice:

• Prepare a brief design detailing exactly what you want to achieve from your site.
• Prepare the copy or text for your site. This should be written using direct marketing copywriting techniques either by your self or a professional.
• Select images for your site. These can be existing photos or chosen from an online photo library.

Web Space: Many service providers give you a certain amount of free web space with your connection. However, this usually has a limited capacity and is not really suitable for a professional site. You have to find a commercial web space that will enhance the experience of visitors to your site. 

Web Site Developer: The first and most important step involved in setting up a web site, is choosing the right web developers. As the main purpose of a business web site in the SME sector is marketing. The overriding factor in deciding on an agency is whether they can develop your site as an effective promotional tool. Therefore out of all the abilities an agency should possess, by far the most important is direct marketing skills; because without applying effective marketing techniques to the site - a good design will be of little use for your business.

Choose a direct marketing orientated web developer. Follow the rules below:

 

• Use web marketing strategies to attract visitors to your site such as reciprocal links, direct email, newsgroup and list serve postings etc.
• Combine online marketing with conventional promotion such as direct mail, advertising and include your web site address on all business correspondence
• Include an online form for your prospect to respond to your offer, either to place an order or request more information
• Build up a database from enquiries. Offering a free report on the subject of your products or services that can be downloaded is a good way to build up a database of qualified prospects.
• Email your database regularly to keep them informed of new developments and offers. Alternatively produce an online newsletter for the same purpose.

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