Top 10 Do's & Don'ts when Developing a Web Site
Do: Register the right domain name
Don’t: Use a subdomain such as http://notyou.com/~you
A Domain Name ...
... is your web address or URL.
... is the letter combination that people type into a web browser to see your web site.
... should identify your organization.
... should be easy to remember.
• A domain name can end in a number of extensions, but the most popular are .com, .net or .org.
• The fee for domain name registration can range from $15 to $35 per year depending on the approved domain registrar that you use.
• Currently, a domain name can be registered for 1 to 10 years.
• You can always renew the registration.
Do: Pay for quality web hosting
Don’t: Use free hosting services
Web hosting service is necessary to have a web site. A web hosting company leases space on their internet servers so that your web site can be accessed from the internet. Web hosting companies have the hardware and software needed to make this happen 24/7/365.
There are free hosting companies. They could be useful for a personal web site but not a business site.
Cons of free hosting
• No guarantee that they’ll be around tomorrow.
• When you need technical support, you need to make sure that you’ll get it.
• Service is too slow and too limited for almost all commercial purposes.
• Usually supported by advertisements, which will distract from your own offering.
Many quality web hosts offer everything you need for under $30 a month. At this price, you can’t afford not to pay for quality web hosting.
Do: Have an objective and goal before you start
Don’t: Get a web site because everyone else has one
• You can’t measure your success if you don’t have set goals.
• Your site should be developed in direct relation to your online objective and goals.
Do: Ask yourself, “What do I want my visitors to do”
Don’t: Assume that your visitors know what you want from them
• Do you want a phone call, then tell them “Call today.”
• Would you prefer an e-mail, give them your e-mail address.
Do: Put your contact information everywhere
Don’t: Hide your contact info at the bottom of the page
• This is a common mistake.
• Contact information should at all times be in front of your visitors.
• Contact information does not belong at the bottom of a long page.
• Make it easy for people to contact you.
Do: Have a privacy policy if you are collecting personal info
Don’t: Collect unnecessary information, such as SS# or age
• Consumers know what information you need.
• Don’t ask for unnecessary information. Most people will just leave.
Do: Make sure your site will load fast even on a dial-up connection
Don’t: Overload your site with heavy graphics and animations
• An average web surfer will only wait 5 to 10 seconds for your site
to load before moving on to another web site.
• Heavy graphics and animations slow down the load time.
• If you are going to use Flash animation, give your visitors a non-Flash option.
Do: SPELL CHECK
Don’t: Forget to spell check
Do: Test the site before launching it
Don’t: Forget to ask friends and family to look at your site
• Ask people who aren’t familiar with your company to look at your site.
• Test all links and graphics.
Do: Traditional and Online MARKETING
Don’t: Assume that your customers/potential customers will find you
• The internet is comprised of millions of web sites.
• Without marketing, your site will get lost in the mix.
• Easiest way to begin is to put your domain name on your business cards, stationery, advertisements and any correspondence. |
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