Jan 282013
 

If you have a website for your business, you will want to attract as many visitors asWhat makes a good website layout? possible,  to encourage them to read what you have to say, and to make a purchase! However, you need to know what makes a good website layout. There is no magic formula for website success. You will need to put time and effort into creating this. Many people do not realize this, and give up when they do not get the results that they want. You need to find out what works for your business and in your industry.  There are some basic essential elements  that makes a good website layout.

First,  look at your website  from the point of view of your customers. What would they expect to find? How easily can they navigate the website? Is it simple to make a purchase? Does everything on the site work correctly? I know I have experienced going to a website for the first time and when I click on a tab, I get an “error” message or “not found” message. That is frustrating for me as a consumer! Do you think I will return or move on to another website that has a better layout? Your potential customers will do the same on your website!

Second, you need to remember to take search engines into account and look at some basic SEO tips. Here are a 10 things to consider when optimizing your website for a good layout:

  1. Check the website navigation. Customers will give up if they cannot find their way around easily. The best place for navigation tools is at the top or on the left hand side, which is where people expect to find them. Also include additional navigation features at the bottom of the page and include a search box. In sites with lots of pages it is also helpful to include “breadcrumbs,” which show the user’s current location. (An example of a breadcrumb would be:  Home > Flights > Europe > Paris.)
  2. Keep your pages clean and simple. Make sure there is not too much clutter on the pages. Home pages in particular often contain too much information, making them difficult to read. Similarly, be careful with the color scheme, which could be a turnoff.
  3. If your site only uses Flash, it may be difficult for search engines to index it. It may also cause viewing problems for customers without the right technology or software.
  4. Do not expect your customers to contact you for additional details. Give them all the information they need, including prices, product information and returns policy. If I don’t see a price on a website, I leave and go to another one. What will your potential customers do? Do include a contact page with your address, phone and email address with an optional contact form. If a visitor does like your product, you want all options to be available to them if they choose to contact you.
  5. Use real pictures of real people. Add your professional photograph on your “about us” page. Keep things real. Everyone knows what stock photos look like and no one want to see these fake images. Connect to your visitors by letting them see you!
  6. Check your spelling and grammar throughout your website. A poorly written website looks unprofessional and drives away customers. It is always worth asking someone else to proofread your website for you. If you don’t have anyone to do this, come back a few hours later with refreshed eyes and read the content out loud to catch mistakes.
  7. Make sure you do not have pop up boxes. Many people use pop up blockers since many solicitors use them for advertisements. Your visitors may not see the extra pop up window. Pop up boxes are an old style you shouldn’t use anymore.
  8. Look for broken links on your website. A good way to achieve this is by checking your website in Google Webmaster Tools.
  9. Check the download time. If your website takes too long to load, people will not wait around. I know I won’t!
  10. Music that starts playing as soon as visitors enter your website can be a major turn off. Many customers will immediately leave, especially if they are at work, or if they do not like your choice of music.

Finally, updating your website is not something you do once. What makes a good website layout includes a continuous process of updating and checking feedback. Search engines want to see unique content written about the service you provide or the field you are an expert in. Search engines will value your website more if you add unique and fresh content. Let your visitors know what is cutting-edge  in your industry. What’s new in your company? What’s the latest products? Your visitors will enjoy your current material and will soon share it with their social media friends!

Sep 242012
 

Website Copyright LawsThere are a lot of interesting things on the internet and sometimes we wonder whether we can use these articles, images and videos on our own sites, personal or professional. The lines can be very blurry when it comes to website copyright laws and the following can provide a little more clarity into the subject:

Website Copyright Laws Explained

Everyone who deals with content creation, reuse and distribution should brush up on intellectual property rights and its difference with patents. All original creations automatically get copyright from the time they get made. No official application is required to guarantee that right under law unlike the case with patents. The details can get complicated and are definitely beyond the scope of this article.

Just because there is no official paper declaring a piece of work as having copyright does not it anyone can copy it with reckless abandon.

Even if people have posted their content in publicly accessible sites to share with others, the work remains their own and any attempts at reproduction should have their express consent. The gist of the copyright law is that no one can reuse content unless authorization from the creator has been obtained. Some think that proper attribution is enough but this is not true in all cases. The lack of permission still invites a host of lawsuits, more so for highly popular content that is instrumental in increasing the number of page views and similar commercial endeavors.

License to Copy Sites

There are certainly a lot of people who find it flattering and even useful for others to copy and re-purpose their works. It is for these authors that  some websites have been developed.  People can go to  some websites to search for articles, images and videos that content creators have made publicly reproducible. However, those who plan to use these must read the license carefully and honor its limits.

There are numerous websites which provide various works for members who pay a certain fee or for authors who want their work to be copied.  These are some popular sites that would fit under this category:: Creative Commons,  GettyImages, Corbis, iStock Photo, Copyright and iCopyright.

When In Doubt

Always err on the safe side of the law. Pause to acquire the creator’s consent before proceeding, especially if the online content got attention for its commercial value. After all, it is only basic courtesy and should rightly be observed. It also protects the commercial project by ensuring that legal requirements have been complied with to the letter. All authors are unique in their views about content reuse and will set their limits accordingly. And remember: It is best to ask their input on the matter so that their wishes are respected!

Jul 272012
 

Why Marketing is importantEntrepreneurs and professionals today spend so much time, effort and money in improving their products and services. Businessmen spend hours and hours in addition to thousands of dollars in enhancing their goods and crafts and honing their skills. In the long run, they forget one significant aspect of business ~ marketing! Some lose sight of why marketing is important.

To start, marketing basically refers to the entire management process of making products and services readily available to customers in a satisfactory manner. The end in mind of this activity is income or profits. Simply put, marketing is everything that an individual does to place his goods and services in the hands of his customers.

From the definition, it is crystal clear why marketing is important. Without it, potential clients would not be aware of the existence of a particular commodity or service. Marketing provides the perfect avenue for consumers to know and enjoy these manufactured articles and services. No matter how useful a product or service may be, if people do not know about it, the wares and merchandise will remain on shelves and just gather dust. People will never buy the goods. Companies and firms will not be able to earn income and generate revenue.

After the general public becomes mindful of the commodity, there is a greater chance that they will buy the same. It cannot be overemphasized just how much marketing can make a business grow exponentially. At this point, new consumers and loyal ones start spreading the word about how satisfied they are with their purchases. They share their new discoveries to their family and friends. As a consequence, sales will continue to increase steadily. Without marketing, these transactions would not have happened. Without the exchange, companies will ultimately close down.

Marketing leads to product recall and brand recognition. When an organization’s article or service exceeds the expectations of the community, it builds up the image that the company is of good repute. It differentiates the establishment and giving them the advantage of having a unique selling point. This is particularly true in very competitive and oversaturated industries such as clothes and sportswear. Getting a product noticed is definitely not an easy task.

The benefits are not just limited to the company. From a consumer’s point of view, marketing aids him/her to make better choices because he/she is well-equipped with information about the products and the prices. Potential purchasers have data to support their decisions on why they buy brand A instead of brand B. This leads and fosters an atmosphere of healthy competition in the economy. No dominant company can monopolize an industry because of marketing!

When you finish this article, I want you to leave with one major point: Marketing plays an extremely crucial role in a company’s success! And this is why marketing is important! If you have specific questions on the importance of marketing or how it relates with your business, contact us today and we can help you get your foot in the best direction for your goals and business needs!