If you are looking for a Calgary Web Design (or a Web design anywhere else in the world), you will need to consider if your Web site will emerge as a real Web presence.
A Web site is, by definition, a single entity on the Internet. It has a unique address, internal links and menus, some kind of Web design surrounding the site content and is , for all intents and purposes,a standalone entity. The general practice of website development from the 1990’s into the new millennium was to design a website based on a print brochure. In fact, a lot of companies simply copied their brochure content over from print to their new site. Of course, the Web evolves quickly and as a result, search engines and marketing methods must also change. Combine this with more advanced dynamic functionalities become more affordable or even free, the the website from a few years ago can easily get lost or outdated.
What are some signs of an outdated Web site?
- Out of Date Web Design Elements – most web design companies now design for a 1024 wide screen resolution, and since older sites were built to an 800 pixel wide screen width, just seeing one built to this width can create the impression of an older design. Dated designs are also subject to much less functionality as they were built using less advanced coding standards. The best scenario is a web presence that is refreshed visually with a newer web design, has updated coding and functionality and has current content with past content moved to an archives section.
- Dated Content – probably most obvious is web content that is dated or last updated a year or two ago. This goes for broken external links to other sites that no longer exist…or have been updated.
- Dated copyright Notice– enough said.
- Simplistic Communication Levels– older sites rely on email and maybe forms, which works well, these are standard levels of communication on the Web. However, newer sites can now offer “Live Support”, forums and interactive flash media to their gamut.
- Little or No Search Engine Marketing– A dated site probably is not getting any efforts put into its marketing either! This includes Search Engine Optimization and/or online ad campaigns.
So, if you have a website that sounds like this, you will want to read on to see how to turn your Web site into a Web presence.
A web presence differs from a single website in that a web presence is a chain of people doing the conga versus the wall flower at the party.
A Web presence is considered a living document as it expands and gains attention and gets people involved.
To take your current Website or if you are planning a new web site from scratch, you must consider the following key features to make your website a bonefide Web presence:
The Web presence:
- Have a unique web design that is clean, professional and eye-catching, but does not impede navigation through the web pages, nor access to any of the content in the site.
- The design should not limit expansion, but rather encourages it– it should easily be able to have new pages and functionalities added. Consider the nature of a blog or forum – these tools are built to expand and manage new content easily.
- Intuitive Menus and Supporting Navigation are needed to define which sections are passive, which are active, which are dynamic or static and which will expand. Ideal navigation will provide for the user to access any page from any page, with the least amount of click throughs. This is only possible with proper initial planning to provide clear, hierarchical levels of sections and pages.
- Have unique content that is written for the Web, not just lifted from company brochure or newsletter, or from an industry-focused technical paper. These types of documents are best left as they are, converted into PDF and made available for download, but the general content on the site needs to be Web-ified and Search Engine Optimized.
- Add Reasonable Functionality– Don’t get a blog if you aren’t going to use it. Determine who will do the site updates, either a Webmaster or a trained editor who can manage the site using a CMS. If you have a portfolio, invest in a customized, dynamic gallery to exhibit your work online. If you want a blog, just learn how to use it and keep posting consistently. If you want to start e-commerce, be prepared to learn how to manage the catalog and admin areas.
- Search Engine Optimization – starts with the organic results generated by how the site is built, how accessible it and its content is, and how it relates to other websites. Then get your site manually listed in the top search engines and directories and start building reciprocal or back links to your site to help increase exposure and build popularity.
Once your site is live on the Web, you need to:
- Regularly review your organic SEO terms in your Meta tags and in your content
- Expand into e-commerce, so your site can make money for you.
- Begin a targeted ad campaign using CPC paid listings such as Adwords, Facebook ads, Adbrite, etc.
- Collect Information about your visitors using Opt-in newsletters and special offers.
- Survey your existing customers to gain user experiences and update your Calgary Web site accordingly.
- Make your website as interactive and personal as possible.
- Explore how to use other channels graphic design/print, vehicle signage, mobile, radio, in-person networking to elevate your Web presence to a higher ranking.
- Update your content regularly and get involved in posting to othe sites, blogs and groups.
A Web presence is more powerful and successful than a website because it has an active audience on the front and an active administrator in the back.
A website is good as a channel for your regular business model, but a Web presence is innately active and is a successful means of communication and separate revenue stream.
Are you a Calgary business looking for a new or revitalized Web Design?
If so, please contact Calgary Web Design Team at www.blinddrop.com for complete Web development and Photography services.
