What Is The Function Of Your Website?
Before you instruct someone like website design west midlands to build a website for you or you build it yourself, you must decide and focus on what you want your new website to do. This may sound obvious but you will be surprised how many people think that all you have to do is create an attractive and interesting site and it will suit every purpose. The facts are that there are many different kinds of websites and each type has a different purpose and function.
It may help you to look at your website as just another form of communication. If you write a letter or send an email you are usually either passing on information or wanting the recipient to take some form of action. With this in mind you should be able to focus on what type of website you want.
We can have a look at two different types of quite basic websites:
A Basic Information Website
At first this many seem a very good idea. It is very simple and quick to do and the cost is minimal. It is sometimes referred to as a ‘Business Card Website’. It may include your name, the name of your business or organisation, address with telephone and fax numbers and an email address. What does it achieve? It gives you a very minor presence on the Internet, provides your details and informs people where to find you and a means of contacting you, but that’s all. People on the Internet are potential customers. They are looking for good service and immediate gratification. If they want to know more about you, your business activities, products and services etc. they will be frustrated at the lack of detail on your website and probably go on to look elsewhere.
A Brochure Website
In many ways the Brochure Website is a step up from the Business Card Website. Whilst criticised by many design purists as being bland, Brochure Websites perform a specific function and are usually a very practical way of communicating the nature of the business activities of the company concerned. Basically they display what would normally be printed on a brochure and distributed either by hand or through the mail. Through the use of images, text and technical details they convey a very specific message. Business is not done on-line, but you hope that there is sufficient information to encourage the visitor to make contact either by phone or email.
This type of website is particularly suitable for businesses providing a service that can not be provided on-line. Most suitable for local plumbers, electricians and so on.
This type of site should not be confused with a small business web site which can have a variety of functions and much more information.
Tags: action, business, car, communication, design, dress, fun, internet, web
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