Index	Previous Page (37)	Next Page (39)

If I were to list out 2 things that are an absolute requirement for your website, they would be

* Simple, clean, a very user-friendly design
* Reliable host and domain name

Let us first look at some of the aspects of designing a website.
2.7.1 A few basics of Website designing

Build It for Speed

It's a fact of modern life - people are in a hurry. This means that you have between 10 and 30 seconds to capture your potential customer's attention. To minimize your load time, keep graphics small. Compress them where possible. Use flashy technology (JavaScript, Flash, Streaming Audio/Video, animation) sparingly and only if it is important to your presentation.

Target Your Market

Know who your market is and make certain that your site caters to their needs. It is critical that your site reflect the values of your potential customers. You could have a separate page for each Ezine if the subject varies. Is your market for a particular type of audience that comprises mostly business professionals? If so, the page must be clean and professional. Are your newsletters and products aimed mostly at teenagers and young adults? Then your page could be more informal and relaxed. The key here is to know your market and build the site to their preferences.

Content is King

Good content markets any product. Ask yourself the following questions. Does your copy convey the message you wish to get across to your visitors? Is it compelling? Does it lead your visitor through the Ezine sign up process? Have others review, critique and edit your copy to ensure it is delivering the intended message. Relevant content is crucial. If your web copy is contradictory to what your newsletters portray there is a good chance that prospective customers might leave without signing up. Always double-check your spelling and grammar.

Website Layout and Site Map

When starting to design the layout of a site, it is often a good plan to step away from the computer and sketch a layout using good old paper and pencil. 

Pages should be based on a grid, with space allocated for navigation, headers and footers, body text and whatever other elements that will be repeated throughout the site. This sketch will serve as a pattern for the site's appearance and should not change very much, if at all, from page to page.

Taking this approach means you can essentially have your site designed by creating a single page that can be reused, with perhaps minor modifications, as a template for all the other pages in your site. You need to consider how the various content types of different parts of the site will be accommodated within the design and be sure that it meets the needs of all sections. 

Index	Previous Page (37)	Next Page (39)