Beginning Ecommerce Web Site Design
A Home Business Article Contributed by Barbara Gibson
Considering Ecommerce Web Site Design
Fear and dread will not save you from the inevitability of ecommerce web site design. If you sell online, or even if you don't, you will have to get a site up and running eventually. The good news is that sources and experts on ecommerce web site design exist on every corner. Your job is to separate the good from the bad and the ugly. This is easily done with patience,research, and brainstorming.
Patience with yourself and the process, research to determine best templates, hosts, etc. and brainstorming to home in on the message/image you hope to convey through your site. Don't worry if your site isn't perfect to start. No one will see it until it is published.
Basic Ecommerce Web Site Design
It is a good idea to begin with a search of the Internet. Start with any site that you use often and like, what do you like about it and why? Can you duplicate the same strategies or techniques on your own web site? Next,try a brainstorming session. If possible, ask a couple of people who are familiar with your product or service to join you in generating ideas. There are three key questions you should answer:
1. Which words come to mind when you think about your product or service?
2. Which of these words or phrases will potential customers use to search for my product or service?
These will be your keywords, we will come back to these later.
3. What do I want my site to say to customers?
Its also a good idea to get some input from the group about web sites that they like. Generally, web site visitors appreciate sites that are easily navigable and informative, guarantee security, offer contact information, and are visually engaging but not so busy as to be distracting.
Back to the keywords. You should be able to generate a list of words or very short phrases that you anticipate consumers will use to find you. Once the list is compiled, type your words and phrases into a search engine. If your search yields millions of returns you may need to tweak your phrases to reduce the returns. When you begin to write the text for your web site, you should include these words in every header and every paragraph. The goal is to have your site come up on at least the first page of any search.
In terms of what you want to say to your customers, it is important to showcase your unique talent or expertise. How is what you offer different from that offered by anyone else? Will visitors be clear about return policies when visiting your site? Consider including a FAQ or Questions Page so that customers can find immediate answers to typical questions.
Ecommerce Web Site Design Help
There are many businesses and individuals that provide ecommerce web site design. When choosing make sure that you are working with someone who understands the values and priorities you hold for your business. Also, check references. You will want to view sites the designer has developed as well as talk with customers to learn about other details of the designers work style.
