Global Reach
BC Ventures Internet Marketing Resource Site

#1 Web Design

A pretty site that cost $1000+ to develop will not guarantee your success.  In fact design is probably one of the less important elements, depending on you target market.   There are however considerations that must be followed to be successful.  

The design of you site is a process that will continue as you progress through the following nine steps to develop your site.  It is important however to determine up front a general scheme and layout and stick to that unless you find it too cumbersome.

1. Intuitive-  Your site must be configured logically and in a way that is easy to navigate.  
2. Layout-  Divide your information and sections into separate pages.  Each page should be task oriented to the message of that particular section and lead your reader to the next logical page.  Be sure to leave plenty of options for a reader to skip sections and go to the area that really interest them.
3. Speed- Each page should load in less than 15 second on a 28.8 connection, 10 seconds is better.   If you have graphics or scripts that will slow this down you must have a text only version of your page. Give your readers a choice, otherwise those with a slow connection will never wait around for your site to load.
4. Graphics-  Only use graphics if the support your message.  If you decide to use them make sure that you take full advantage of them by adding captions below that emphasis the message of that page.
5. Standard look-  Each page on your site should have a standard interface for navigation.
6. Avoid Free Templates- Free hosting is one thing but cheesy free templates are another.   If you do not know the first thing about HTML and are unwilling to learn spend a few buck to have a site created for you.
7. Don't spend a lot up front- Snappy web design is not rocket science but at $40 per hour your site might cost you a significant amount if you outsource it.  ENS will design a site for you starting at $100 using all of the principles discussed here.  

Basically you success will not be measured by the elegance of your site.  Of course this is target market dependant and will will discuss that later. As long as your site is readable, professional and logically arranged you are set to do the things that are really important to your success.  

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