10 Steps to a Better Website

This series of 10 Steps to a Better Website is for the small business owner with a small ad budget. My suggestions/steps are a process you must go through, to get a website that you are happy with, that does what you want it to do.


“I have a website site but I’m not happy with it” is a statement I hear a lot. When updating and redoing your website you’ll need to be able to explain to the Webmaster what you want. Otherwise they will make for you something you don’t like again.


Take a look at your competitors’ websites. What keywords they are using? What information do you feel is most useful or compelling on their site? Start making a list. Look over other sites in your industry. What did you find that you want or don’t want on your site? Which design styles do you prefer? Which writing styles appeal to you? You must communicate this info to your Webmaster. The better understanding you have with her/him on what you want, the happier you will be when it’s done.


Your list of information should include a list of the pages you want, and a list of what to put on each page. Gather up all the pictures, graphics, logos, and text copy you think you may need. Put it all together in one place.


Make sure your site contains plenty of useful information for the visitor— not just advertising. Give them enough information so they can decide to visit your store, or purchase your products and services.

In order to give you a bid for a website, one of the first questions a Webmaster needs to know is: How many pages do you want?


Here are ideas for web pages that I have on my own sites and some I have recommended for clients. As with all my suggestions, take what you can use, and ignore the rest.


· Home

· About us

· Testimonials (written, audio and video - we live in a Youtube world, so video testimonials are great)

· Products or Services

· Location (and a map that gives directions)

· Contact us

· Frequently asked questions

· News & Events

· Sign up for our newsletter

· Our Staff

· Photo gallery

· What we do

· Store hours

· Our Guarantee

· Write a review

· Local Weather forecast

· Our Rates/Prices

· Things to do in our area

· Area Attractions, Restaurants & Motels

· Employment

· Site Map

· Our Mission

· My Blog

· Links

· Our History

· Catalog

· Calendar of Events

· Entertainment & Shopping

· Sign our Guestbook

Next you will need Meta tags. Those are keywords, titles and descriptions for each page. These must be thought out and well planned. One of the reasons a person can become unhappy with their website is because they begin to realize it wasn’t planned very well in the beginning. However all this website planning is time very well spent. A good website is well worth the investment of time energy and effort. If have a good designer, a good writer, and it’s easy to find your way around on the site, the website will bring you business. It will increase your credibility, enhance your reputation, increase the word of mouth advertising about you, and will be a resource and benefit and a great service to your customers.