Recently I had a potential client tell me that I should design their website for a very small fee because he had several other web design companies quote only a few hundred dollars. That may have been true, but what he did not realize is that every site that web design goes through a process that involves several time consuming steps and that no shortcuts should be taken in the process.

Since your website is your marketing tool and represents your business, it should look at least as good as your business really is.

So, what should you think about when reviewing your own website design?

1) Does the website clearly identify what your product or service is?

One of the most encouraging methods of having someone leave a website as quickly as possible is the website that has no clear direction. If the navigation system leaves a person unsure where to go on the website, then it is best not to even have a website. After all, why would you want to confuse your potential customers? A website needs to present information and content in an organized and well planned fashion.

2) Are the graphics representative of your company?

You may have the most attractive website, but if it does not reflect your corporate branding, then it probably will not have a positive brand recognition impact. Just as a website needs to be functional and perform the way that you require it to for your business’ purpose, it needs to be designed to fit within your company’s image.

3) Would you tell your most important potential client to go to your website to learn about what you can offer them?

Just as you would not have a messy and disorganized showroom floor, or a lousy business card, your website should be a reflection of your excellent business practices. It is a reflection or extension of your business image.

4) Is there a clear and precise call to action?

A clear direction on a website will lead your potential clients or customers to take some form of action, such as filling out a quote request or to take a step to contact your business. Although a website often does not replace a living sales person, it should be a construct to engage your audience as part of your best sales and promotional material.

Putting together a website is not at all like logo design or designing a brochure, although it does take a creative process for graphic design and graphic designers are worth their time. What I mean is website design is more about knowing how to integrate both design elements and technological functionality than it is about putting a few pages on the world wide web. After all, a website is a marketing tool: your 24/7 sales force and it should lead new customers to your door and bring you new and renewed business.

Wayne Peters is the CEO of The Creation Studio, a website design company.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_M_Peters

I can recommend many social networking sites to put profiles on such as twitter, MySpace, Facebook, friendster, tribe, bebo, and many others. You don’t want to appear as though you are just trying to sell something though. Usually, it’s a good idea to make it really personal and fun for people. Use a lot of pictures and tell an interesting story. Then you have links to your website and share your business proposition from there. It’s a good idea not to just come right out with a sales pitch. That can really turn people off these days, although you do want to lead people down a path to finding out more about you.

You are the best selling point for your business. You need to embrace who you are and what you are selling if you want your business to be successful. Websites share an experience with people that will either inspire them or not. I like to focus on conscious arts for example. People who are interested in conscious arts are interested in working with me therefore.

I recommend making all your media and marketing geared towards attracting like minded people. If people like you then they will naturally want to help you out whenever possible with recommendations to their friends. Social networking is like going to a party. You don’t go in there and just start blabbing about what you have for sale. That is not very attractive to anyone. The best thing to do is go make some friends, and they will learn what you do after they get to know you. Inspire people by not trying to sell right off the bat. Wait until people show interest in what you do before you invite them back to your website. That is where you keep most the detailed information about what you’re offering.

This article was written by Jacob Louis.

For more information visit my Asheville Web Design portfolio. I also do work long distance if interested.