Today we are going to talk about the top tips to know while making a website. First off, web design is not just something where you can buy a $9 hosting package with Godaddy or Hostgator and then turn on their site builder and "let 'er fly." You actually have to know how to design a little bit. There are some important things to keep in mind when designing your first website...
1. Be Original - Don't copy anyone else's work when creating a website. If your client finds out that you copied another person's website they will be highly upset. Not to mention that it is actually copyright law not to copy original work anywhere on the web.
2. Have A Goal In Mind - When designing your first website, you need to have a goal in mind. Something for the visitor to do once he/she actually gets to your website. Do you want them to call a number, fill out a contact form, submit a request, signup for your newsletter, or download a brochure? It doesn't matter what the goal is but if you keep this in mind when designing the website, it will help you design in a way to increase your client's conversion rate.
3. Optimize Your Website's Images - Website load time is a factor in search engine optimization. But that's not the type of optimization I am talking about right now. I am talking about uploading smaller image. Don't just take a 6 MB JPEG that your client gave you and upload it to your website expecting for it not to matter. You will want to take that 6 MB JPEG into Adobe Photoshop or some other similar program, adjust the size to 1,000 pixels wide, and scale the quality back to 80%. The resulting file will be about 100kb - 150kb. Significantly smaller than your original file. Your web page will load much quicker and result in better SEO ranking with Google (and the others of course).
4. Pick A Good Host - Picking the wrong website hosting company could be the death of your website or the best thing since sliced bread. You should always read tons of reviews before choosing a product. The same is true with web hosting. We started out on JustHost a year ago and recently switched to HostGator. JustHost always went down around 10 am. I am not sure if they are in another country and do maintenance at midnight local time or what but it is horrible. Now to HostGator. They are the freakin best thing ever created. The backbone to their service are hardcore servers that are the best in the industry, you always get someone on the phone that speaks english, and they are always lightening fast. If you need a good hosting company, choose HostGator.
5. Be Ready To Give Great Customer Support - Your client will always come back for some changes to their site. Make sure you are in a position to help. Its up to you whether or not to do these changes for free. To service your web clients properly, pickup your phone, be polite (no matter what they say) and try to make their changes in a timely manner. Don't just put them off until next week and think that you will remember after your long weekend trip to the lake.
6. Always Ask For A Referral - In order to get another client, you need to find another lead. Ask your first client if he/she knows anyone else that is looking to create a website. If they do know someone, make sure to contact that person and use your first website job as a reference.
https://www.cohesivewebdesigns.com
Cohesive Web Design
330 E Coffee St
Greenville, SC 29601
