We’ve all experienced websites like that – full of wisdom and knowledge but they just seem to wind on and on. Leaving you still questioning, what it is they do and how can it fulfill my need? In this age of Twitter (information exchanged in 140 characters or less) it is crucial that your site gets your primary message across just as quickly and effectively.

If brevity is the key to retaining website traffic long enough to get your message across, then clarity has to be a close second.

Think of it this way; if you’re at a party and someone you’ve just met asks, “what do you do?” Which of the following would mostly closely resemble your response:

1. We write PHP code for websites hosted on either Linux or Windows servers storing data in MySQL databases. Strictly hard-coding, though, none of that WYSIWYG stuff.
2. We provide professional website development services to help small- to mid-size companies get the most out of new media technologies.

The first response works for someone in your field, but to the average person the second answer in more comprehensible. Even if they come away thinking that you’re a “webmaster.”

In order to effectively communicate your message in the few seconds that you typically have on the web, here are some other things to consider:

1. Pay attention to and include keywords that will enhance the chances of your site being picked up by search engines.
2. Use a descriptive tag line on your website banner.
3. Use images and animated graphics that will enhance your message and not distract or overpower it.
4. Only use a Flash intro if it is absolutely necessary. It may be entertaining the first time, but repeat visitors will soon grow weary.
5. Think of your home page as a portal that draws visitors’ attention to key information and then links them to more details.
6. Get to the point quickly, if not sooner. It may even help to use a video to explain your product, business process or service.
7. If you have more than one page worth of text, provide a summary of the most crucial information then offer the complete document for download as a PDF.

The End.

The Client: Your Social Media

The Client: Inland Distributing Company

Project Description: Inland Distributing Company is a California-based distributor of Clear Essence® Cosmetics scientifically formulated skin care products. They came to us because they wanted to update their Web site and implement an improved, and intuitive shopping cart solution, to kick off their corporate re-branding.

What We Did: We installed Magento open source shopping cart to serve and CMS that allows Inland staff to manage inventory, customers and orders. We built a custom template to fit their colors and implemented

More Work:

Email Marketing Campaigns

Do you ever feel like technology is making you old before your time? Trust me, you’re not alone. I will be turning turning 34 this December (64 in tech years), but I’m what they would typically call a “late adapter”. This is not always a bad thing, as I recall that blank compact discs – or CDs if you will – used to cost roughly $5.00 a piece, and are now as cheap and disposable as a box of matches. MP3 players are headed the same way.

In my long-winded, round-about way, what I’m trying to say is that there is a lot happening around us and it’s hard to keep up. So what I have decided to do is do a little research (as the kids like to say “Wikipedia rocks!”) and from time to time I will put a short description of some new technologies that are so often referred to by some acronym or other. If you have ideas and insights to share feel free to start a discussion in the comments section below, or tweet about it.

There’s good news, and there’s bad. The bad news about the explosion of the World Wide Web is that everybody knows your business. The good news is… everybody knows your business. The Web is, indeed, the great equalizer. On the Internet, the little people can appear as though they are big. With the right kind of Web site, you can present that clean, professional image that is the essence of your company. You can imply a culture, showcase creativity and tout your exceptional customer service. As long as you can deliver on all your promises and maintain loyal customers, the only thing that separates you from the “big fish” is that you still have something to prove, with lots of room to grow.

The reason I’ve decided to start this blog is mainly because after designing their Web site, my customers often ask, “Now what?” I often tell them as much as their site will work for them, they will have to work hard to keep the site fresh and interesting. You have to constantly feed it and nurture it and… Okay, maybe I am a little too passionate about what I do, but seriously if you take care of your site, it will take care of you.

On this blog, I will be talking about exactly what it means to “take care of your site.” I’ll explain what a Web site marketing plan looks like, evaluate inexpensive (or free) ways to promote your products and services online, and answer some of the questions that burden the minds of my clients. In a sense, as the title of this posting suggests, I hope to give you some of the ammunition you need to slay your Goliaths. Whatever they may be.

Please feel free to share some of your thoughts and ideas, as others will surely benefit from your wisdom.

Client: KidsBeSafeOnline.com

The Client: Rainbow Medical Services

The Client: Supreme Homes

The Client: Women Arise Ministries