A Connecticut Web Site Design Company's Tips on Web Sites That Sell

1. Don't Make Any Mistakes with the Basics
Connecticut web site design firms are probably your best bet in avoiding making any mistakes with the basics. Web site design is as much of an art as it a science. A successful design is well thought out before the art begins, and must include easy to use, consistent navigation, copy that is written for your prospective customers in the appropriate style, and a thoroughly professional appearance that works on all platforms. Just because your web site was tested on the most common browser, does NOT mean it will work the same on all other browsers. Remember that quality is in the details. However you succeed in all other areas, making a mistake with any of the basics WILL hurt your company.

2. Think in Reverse
One of the most important aspects of creating a web site that really sells is the ability of both the designer and the copy writer to empathize with the prospective customer, which means thinking in reverse. An advantage of using a professional design team is the ability to take advantage of objectivity. Professionals carefully research the client's industry, the typical prospect's state of mind, and the likely path will follow to get to a particular web page. Copy written by the company's employees typically either makes assumptions about the product or service the visitor might not know, or uses typical marketing writing styles that sound like fluff. Design firms that specialize in particular industries create both designs and copy in the industry style, while conveying the uniqueness of your company's products or services.

3. Know How Search Engines Affect the Design
What value is a web site that no one ever sees? Search engines are the single most important means of bringing in qualified traffic. Doing this properly means maintaining expertise in how search engines rank pages. While a web site designed entirely with Flash may be attractive, the single most valuable aspect of the web site is missing as far as the search engines are concerned: Text. From meta tags to image names to the optimization of copy both for prospects and for search engines, good web site design teams consider every aspect of the web site in terms of qualified traffic.

4. Don't Give It All Away
A web site's primary function is to attract likely customers and inspire them to contact you. Designed properly, a good web site acts as a tireless salesperson providing you with good leads on a regular basis. If your web site design and copy says everything about your company, leaving no reason to contact you, chances are, they won't. What to include and what to leave out requires experience in maintaining this delicate balance.

5. You Get What You Pay For
Study your competitors' web sites and then ask yourself which ones were done in-house? In almost all cases, it's obvious. Professionals specialize. Chances are, you don't want your sales staff securing your network, and you don't expect your engineers to make good marketing materials. The same applies to your web site. While cost is always a concern, it's important to think of all your marketing materials in the long-term. Web site design firms with experience create sites that pay for themselves.

6. Track, Update, and Track Again
Unlike printed materials which you may have purchased thousands of, web sites inherently offer the advantage of being able to make immediate changes to, allowing you to study who visits your web site and what methods are working. A web site design company that specializes in marketing will take the time to teach your people the tools they need to increase your market share.

Matthew Fitzgibbons is president of Liberty Design, LLC, exclusive partner to Deltron Designs, Inc.