The Building Blocks of a Successful Online Presence

Part II: Functionality and Content

In part one of this three part series, I discussed the importance of planning and developing your website around three core issues, Organization, Navigation, and Design.

As most businesses should know, in this age of multi-tasking, research savvy consumers, you have very little time to get your sales pitch across, especially online. So, your website has got to pack a compelling punch to pull your audience in.

Here are the three most important elements to keep in mind when creating your consumer-friendly website:

Interface friendliness

Interface friendliness is the positive degree in which users interact with your website. A logical navigation is of course essential, but it goes beyond that. And interface friendliness has nothing to do with artsy design. Your website can be tricked out with all the design bells and whistles available, but if the content your audience is looking for isn't there, it means nothing. All your content should be broken out and written in personable and informative manner, and resist the urge to stuff it with fluff or an overheated sales pitch. Consumers online want the facts, benefits, images, and visuals of your product or service – the who, what, when, where, and why.

Ease of purchase

Improving the online checkout procedure can be the single easiest way to increase online sales. By making it easier for your target audience, you are ensuring they won't feel the need to go elsewhere. A good rule of thumb to follow is if your customers can't complete their purchase within three clicks, including adding their personal information, the process should be streamlined.

Optimization

Optimizing your content, design, and layout for better search engine penetration goes hand in hand with interface friendliness. The vast majority of your audience will find your business's website through the use of a search engine like Google or Yahoo. And if they're not finding you there…well, there's no point of building a consumer-friendly website if they never visit.

When you're through the Functionality and Content stages, what comes next? Next month, we'll be looking at more specific ways to funnel traffic into your shiny new, consumer-friendly website through PPC, SEO, and email campaigns.

DSL Marketing specializes in:

Myrtle Beach Marketing, Myrtle Beach Interactive Marketing, Myrtle Beach SEO, Myrtle BEach PPC, and Myrtle Beach email marketing