The reason for image tags and why you should us them is to help your web site content to be found. Search engines work by matching the search term to the words on a web page. By including the alt=”brief Image description” into the image tag you are effectively doing several things:
- Giving the visitor a clue what the image is if the image does not load or they have enabled a do not show images setting in their browser.
- Optimized the image for search engines.
- Increased the probability of your website being choosen from the results of an image only search.
When a visitor arrives at your website, guide them so they have a positive interaction.
The easier your webpage is to use the less frustrated your web site visitor will be.
Frustrated visitors will leave.
NAVIGATION - Is it logical, information that users need should be first ie Main and Sub Headings, followed by contact methods, faqs then external references (links, reviews etc.,) Use Main headings and sub headings to keep the navigation from being too overwhelming, when presented with too any choices visitors get confused as to which link took them where.
Drop down links are one popular method of presenting sub headings, alternatively list the subheadings lnks on the Main Heading’s web page.
Which ever method you select you should always place a link back to a main heading webpage on a sub heading page.
Place navigation in the same location on each page. If your website is extensive, define sections of your site with different coloured backgrounds (whole page or behind page title headings).
CALL TO ACTION - Visitors need to quickly identify that the information they want is on your site and what they need to do to get the information. By placing a CLICK HERE button (that links directly to a relevant page or contact form) on a webpage you are making it easy for your visitor to take action.
Common Call to Actions :
- Bookmark this page
- Website Only Special Offers
- Click Here For ….
- Get your Free ….
- Buy Now
- Start Shopping
- Download
- Log In
- More Info
- Contact us Now
- Join Today
Your website can reflect all or part of your business. The use of existing artwork, logos and slogans will help visitors to identify with your business and product line. Before placing content on your webpages decide what action you want visitors to take :
- Visit your physical business
- Buy from your website
- Sign up for information updates
- Rate products
Now that you know what direction you want visitors to take you can write your content to guide your visitors towards your website goals and predetermined actions.
When writing for an online audience it is very easy to over do it.
- Less is more
- Keep paragraphs to 5 lines or less.
- Split your content onto several pages if necessary.
- Try to keep your writing style light.
- Make use of white space.
Insert relevant graphics, to illustrate your point. Remember to add a description in the alt tag so anybody who has images turned off or uses a screen reader will know what your image was.
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When designing your site remember to complete the title tag. This can be found in the portion of the meta tag area near the top of your web page document in code view.
Many website owners fail to do this or only complete this on their main page (index or home).
The default text is - Untitled Document It is much more useful for this to give your web site visitors to an indication of what each page of your web site is about. The text you enter instead of Untitled Document will show in search engines as a heading for your listing - so make it count.
Don’t make your content too long - up to 8 words should be fine, after all you don’t want to come across as spammy.
If the name you want isn’t available as a .com you can always see if the name is available under another extension e.g. .ca .org . info. If these are already taken try inserting a hyphen into the name.
Finding what extensions may be viable can be a long process, however, Network Solutions have a comprehensive domain name search tool.
To check if your Canadian domain name is taken - Can Reg, also when you buy a Canadian Domain Name you will also be required to have a CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority) registrant account.
Now you have a domain name you need to find
an established hosting company.
Your website name is your company identity
Your website name does not have to be your company name.
Having said that it is always worth owning your company name. Your website name can be a reference to
Keep your website name short so that is easy to remember, easy to type or write down. Spaces are not necessary in website names, symbols and numbers can be used in moderation. There is also no need to use capital letters most search engines don’t recognize them.
When navigating a website the sitemap can be a great help, especially on future visits
.
I don’t know about you I’m bad at remembering which web page had the information I need. I’m easily distracted by other web pages when searching through my long bookmark lists. If I don’t find the information again quickly I begin to think I didn’t see the information on the website I’m searching, so I look on other web sites till I find one that that meets my needs and buy from them instead.
A sitemap is a list of every internal link on a website and enables the search engines to index your website for inclusion in their search results.
Why list all the links ? - True the first webapage (index or home) on a website lists the web pages, if you have lots of web pages in order to not swamp the visitor navigation is split into Main Headings with web page links contained in drop down or pop out menus. Even with this amount of detail you still may find you get to a web page and their are sub links. i.e.
Main Heading - Design Editors.
Pop Out Menu - Editor Programs.
Web Page Sub Link - Operating System.
Obviously when I re visit the website I only want to look for a design editor program that works with my computers operating system. Having a heading for each operating system with appropriate web page links in the site map not only allows me to find a suitable design editor program but will also show me other products that I might be interested in for my computer operating system, products I initially wasn’t looking for.
A sitemap is not only a means of navigation it is a sales tool and and easy way for customers to decide that your product, information or website content matches their needs and more importantly easily find the information again. When creating your websites sitemap think how you can arrange the link so that are in helpful categories, providing a brief description of each web pages content also helps.
Googles free site map generator is a good place to start if you are not sure how to create a site map.
When writing a web page think of them as extended memos. Web users are looking for answers and if they don’t find them quickly they will leave your site. Visitors match what their needs with your site content. Any salesman will tell you that once a customer has identified your product as being suitable for the task (which accounts much of the decision to buy) the question every customer has is “What does it cost ?”
It can be difficult sometimes for clients to see the need for displaying pricing information, the main objection being they do not wish rival companies to see their prices and I am often told “Well if they want to know they will call.” Most website visitors will not call, they will look for an alternative online supplier. If they wanted to call you they would have used a phone book.
Prices on your website can be special buy online prices, limited time offer prices, price ranges or a per project estimated cost. These price display methods allow visitors to determine if your product is within their budget whilst providing your competitors details of your website rates only. Showing a price can be the difference between your website visitor CLICKING the “Buy”, “Add to Cart” or ”Enquire Now” button or LEAVING your site.
It is also very common for visitors to bookmark your website and make several visits before placing an order. Take advantage of this by keeping prices current, mentioning upcoming sales or by having product feature pages and details of products that you will be featuring next month. Give potential customers a reason to come back, each visit builds trust.
