5 Characteristics Important For A Small Web Site Design

Did you know that there are approximately 156 million web sites on the Internet? Amazing, right? More amazing still is the fact that, of these, only a very small percentage of websites can truly boast of selling highly unique products or services. The vast majority of websites out there are selling the same stuff and services! For instance, if you want to buy ‘Widget XYZ’ from the Internet, you will find hundreds, if not thousands, of websites selling the same or similar products. So, the question is, what can you do to make your small web site design stand out from the rest? How can you capture the lion's share of hits in your particular niche?

First, avoid the usual mistakes. Many small businesses have a website simply because everyone else seems to be having one too. More like keeping up with the competition, instead of establishing an identity of one's own. When you build your web site as a token gesture of existence, it is hardly surprising that nobody comes knocking to buy your products or services. To grab attention and stand out from the rest of the competition, your small web site design must have 5 important characteristics.

Comprehensive, pertinent content: When a visitor comes to your web site two or three times and finds the same content, they understand that your interest in your online business is negligible. Content is king. Remember that there are scores of websites out there selling the same product as you. If you want visitors to come to your web site, then fresh, valid and reliable content is a must. Many websites on the Internet do not bother to post new content. Moreover, search engines love fresh content. They will place your web site on top of search listings if you continuously post fresh content.

Simple, relevant design: These days many websites are designed in a shoddy manner. Either you come across highly intricate and decorative designs that aim to showcase the creative abilities of the designer, or you see websites put together in a hasty manner with ugly headers, footers and cumbersome navigation. A clean web site design will contain various elements fitting seamlessly and aiming to achieve two important things: easy intuitive navigation, and proper broadcast of information.

SEO friendly code: It is one thing to build a website and quite another to build a website that catches the attention of viewers. One of the most potent tools that can help you grab attention is the use of SEO friendly code. By adhering to simple search engine friendly design requisites, you can easily move your web page listing to the first page.

Download friendly: These days you see many new elements in web pages. Audio, video and dynamic web pages compete to create a more rounded experience for the Internet visitor. However, it is easy to get carried away and populate your small web site design with unnecessary bells and whistles. Any piece of information, picture, video or audio that is irrelevant to your web site simply taxes the patience of your visitors. Remember that visitors stay only five to seven seconds waiting for content to download before they click away to another site.

E-mail capture: If you are selling a product or service, your small web site design must be built to capture e-mail addresses so that you can keep in touch with your visitors. It is important to check whether the e-mail capture really works, and it is equally important to keep an auto responder in place.

Of course, there are many more things you need to do to ensure that your small business website design takes center stage. However, the points listed above will get you a head start in the right direction.

By: Garret Lloyd

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