Site Structure

The structure of your website can mean the difference between a stalled business and a flourishing one. If your website isn’t built for the consumer, then the consumer will steer clear.
Have you ever ventured into a store and found it messy or crowded and hard to maneuver? Did you ever go back to that place? Probably not. The same thing goes for your online business.
Some websites are not built for the average customer. They use large graphics that take hours for a 56K modem to download, or their links don’t work. If you don’t know how to build a website yourself, then hire a professional who knows how to do it for you.
Your site needs to be user-friendly so that customers keep coming back – not only for their first purchase, but also for follow-up sales once they’ve devoured your initial product.
Some basic tips for building a better website include using professional colors and fonts. You don’t want a rainbow site with happy faces and flowery lettering trying to sell your serious eBook on Investing for Seniors.
You also want to make sure you have a separate domain for your business. You can register your very own dot com at GoDaddy.com for only $8.95 per year, and the investment is well worth it for the professionalism it gives your business.
Once the designer drafts your site and your content is in place, ask a few friends or family members to make a test run through it and tell you if they notice any areas where the user would run into problems, like dead links or layout trouble.
Sometimes, something as simple as the browser the customer is using will distort the website and make it appear as if an amateur has launched an online business. Any reputable designer knows how to appeal to the masses, so you shouldn’t run into any trouble if you check references and hire someone who’s been in the business for at least 5 years.
If you’re not quite ready to hire a website designer, there are companies that offer low-cost, ready-made templates that you can customize.