Web Site Design
Easy to do, hard to do well
Almost anyone can build a web site if that is what they want to do. I started off that way myself when I couldn't afford to pay someone to do it for me several decades ago. The question is, "Can you build a site that will do what you want it to do, and do it well?"
Of course it also begs the question whether or not it is something you enjoy doing and feel is a good use of your time.
If you would rather spend your time doing something other than building a web site, our streamlined methods will simplify the process for you.
Good, Cheap and Fast - but you can only pick two.
It is easy for anyone to quickly and easily create a free website using a template on sites like GoDaddy, Google, MailChimp, SquareSpace, Wix, Weebly, WordPress.com or Yola. Just add text and images for an instant website! Many people start out that way, but then find there are extra costs involved to overcome the limitations of their free account.
Designing a web site involves bringing a number of elements and ideas together in a cohesive fashion. Sites need to be designed not just for their visual appeal, but also for ease of navigation, accessibility, security, legal compliance, speed and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO).
What does your web site need to do?
It is not a case of "If you build it, they will come...." unless you are sending traffic to your web site through other forms of marketing. If your web site is designed to cater only for existing customers, with no need or desire to attract new ones and only infrequent changes to content, then there is no need to optimise your site for the search engines or even have a contact form. All you need is a static web site.
For most businesses, a web site is an "Open all hours" shop front for existing and potential clients to purchase their goods or services. Just like any bricks and mortar business, being found by those customers and being contactable are essential. Once they've found you, new clients especially need to like the look of your business or they'll walk straight past. If they come through the door and have a poor experience, they'll walk right our again. This is why the Discovery phase of web site design is so important.
Functional by Design
When we design web sites we look at all aspects of your business, not just the aesthetic "shop-front" and "window-dressing" aspects. The administrative part, or back-end, of your site is designed based on how you and your business will engage with the site such as editing, uploading and downloading information. The front-end is designed to give your visitors the information they need, so they can take the action that you want them to take.
Appealing to Visitors
Visitors to your web site are normally seeking something. That may just be a piece of information, but it might also be a product, service or solution that you offer.
The home page has to be designed to be instantly attractive to your intended audience, grab their attention, establish trust, stimulate curiosity and lead to them taking that desired action. Your visitor has entered the Rhetorical Triangle.
Ease of navigation is also important. If your visitors can find the information they need quickly, they are more likely to convert into clients or customers.
When designing for your visitors we use the Discovery process to understand who your customers are, what action you would like them to take, and how you want to come across to your visitors.
If you have a current business plan which includes PEST(LE), SWOT & AIDA, it will often cover the bulk of the Discovery phase About You questions.
The Admin Workflow
In more complex dynamic sites which are frequently updated or return a lot of enquiries we design the import, edit and export routines. Eliminating the need for unneccessary "website wrangling" allows you to focus your energies on growing your business. There is also the option to view and edit data in a spreadsheet format from within the Admin section of the site.
Web Form Design
Form Flow design, especially when a lot of routing questions are involved, is aimed at making the visitor's journey through the enquiry process as smooth as possible. This increases the likelihood that they will complete the process rather than abandoning it.
FAQ
Like web forms, the primary aim of the FAQ page is to reduce the time spent answering questions on the phon or by email. In terms of user experience, the most commonly asked questions are placed at the top of the page to make finding the answers to their questions easier for the majority of visitors.
Useful Links
The Visual Communication Guy
The Business of Choice by Matthew Wilcox
