How to Create a Successful Web Page Layout?

7/31/2012

A web page may seem like a puzzle, but keeping the layout simple and conventional will help your visitors finding what they need. You may be tempted to be more creative but your visitors will thank you for conforming by coming back to your website. To stand out, plan to use creative and unique colors and graphics instead.

By Alain Houle, Alco Web Design LLC

Web Design: Create a successful web page layout

Header: Every page of your website must let your visitors know that they are at your website. Here you have your logo, banner, business name, etc.
Navigation bar area: The navigation bar helps your visitors finding their way through your website. Side navigation bars support an unlimited number of items while horizontal navigation bars leave more width for the content of your web pages. Think your navigation system thoroughly to make it simple, efficient, and to minimize the number of clicks required to navigate through your website.
Footer: Every page must let your visitors know who you are and how to contact you.
Main content area: The main content area is what your visitors actually come to see. A useful and content rich website will convince your visitors about the seriousness of your business and will invite them to return to your website. Plan ahead and don't make your content an after fact.
Background and colors: The newspaper industry figured out a long time ago that black letters on white paper are easy to read. Other dark font and light background combinations could work but are always harder to work with. Stay away from dark backgrounds.
Pictures, logos, and artwork: Use pictures, logos, and artwork to differentiate your website. Save time and money by reusing or scanning printed documents you might already have. Use a digital camera and take your own pictures. Many websites, including Microsoft, offer great royalty free pictures.
Flash animations: Flash technology is sometimes used to create animations or sounds effects. While it can sometimes be cool, some people (like me) find it extremely annoying: They take time to download and are a distraction.
Outbound links: They are cool but do not help you. You worked hard to get visitors to your website and the last thing you want is to lose them through outbound links. At a minimum, make sure outbound links open up a new window so your web pages are still opened.
Page width: The look of a web page might change slightly on different computers. I usually use a narrower fixed width page that will look good for the majority of my visitors and print well on a regular 8½" X 11" sheet of paper.

Please do not hesitate to contact Alco Web Design if you have any questions about how to create a successful web page layout.

How to turn visitors into customers?

7/23/2012

Having visitors to your website is a good but selling the goods and services you are offering is much better. These days people use the web when shopping and a well-designed website is often the final resource that determines whether you get the business or not.

By Alain Houle, Alco Web Design LLC

Internet Marketing: Turn visitors into customers

Google will bring visitors to your website but ultimately your website has a sales pitch to deliver. Here is how to turn visitors into customers:

Content, content, content: A useful and content rich website will convince your visitors about the seriousness of your business. Plan ahead and don't make your content an afterthought. Work and rework the text of your pages.
Products and service: Provide information about your products and services, your intended market, the benefits to your customers, and on what differentiates you from the competition. Be concise but provide options for more detailed information. When possible, make this information printable so it can be shared or used later. Provide a phone number or an email address for personalized service.
Experience and expertise: There is no personal contact on the internet and your expertise is often what differentiates you from the competition. People trust experts. Make sure your visitors know about your expertise and about your willingness to help them.
Testimonials and success stories: With the Internet, your potential customers will also find your competitors. Potential customers look for help and value. If you have proven success stories, you already have a head start. Provide testimonials, success stories, or case studies that are easy to read and can be verified.
About us, biographies, and team pages: Give people an insight into who you are. Use pictures, talk about yourself, your mission, the values of your company, and the reasons you started the business. Show your visitors that you are a real person, especially if you are targeting local customers.
Verify your work and make it perfect: Your website affects the image you project. Typos and careless mistakes immediately label you as sloppy and unprofessional. Make sure everything is perfect and fully functional prior to go live.

Please do not hesitate to contact Alco Web Design if you need any help turning you visitors into customers.

Alain Houle, President
Alco Web Design LLC - http://www.alcowebdesign.com
N1337 Westgreen drive, Greenville Wisconsin 54942
920-850-4642

We are always happy to help.

Alco Web Design LLC
N1337 Westgreen Drive
Greenville WI, 54942
920-850-4642
[email protected]

Our websites are proudly handcrafted in Greenville Wisconsin. Alco Web Design is a one-stop shop for all your small business website design and SEO needs. We have been around for over 20 years and are proudly serving customers from Appleton and the surrounding Fox Valley communities.

How to Create a Successful Web Page Layout?

How to turn visitors into customers?

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We are always happy to help.

How to Create a Successful Web Page Layout?

How to turn visitors into customers?

Your Host

Archives

We are always happy to help.​

We are always happy to help.