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March
2001
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Design is one of those things that can seem unnecessary at first. After all, it's easy to see the purpose of construction and programming, since they are the means of actually producing the web site. When looking into web design, especially when on a budget, it's easy to overlook the importance of good design. However, the success or failure of the graphic design can make all the difference, regardless of how technically sound the site may be.
The vital role of good graphic design becomes obvious when some important points are considered. At the very least, it must be considered that your site could be the first contact a customer has with your company. Design is important, because it deals largely with appearance. What kind of impression will that design give of your company? Will they see you as being professional, reliable and established, or amateurish and unprofessional? Will it tie in with and enhance your existing corporate design style? Will it show you as being better than your competitor? Design plays an important role in what kind of impression your customers will have of your company.
Good web design is achieved by a fine balance of graphic design and technical skill. One or other by itself, is unlikely to achieve the kind of result that gives the right impression. The site that will promote your company as being professional, reliable and established is one that has been designed by trained graphics experts, along with sound technical expertise.
We have successfully combined trained graphic design expertise, with industry standard technology. We are able to provide competitive web solutions on a wide range of scales and budgets.
Since it began, the internet has come a long way, both in sheer scale and available technology. It's good to know which technologies are available, so that when the time comes, you can make the right decision about the kind of site that will work best for you. Let’s quickly look at a few of the most popular.
Flash - Technology such as Flash, allows the construction of highly interactive web sites as well as high quality animation. If this is what you are looking for, a site incorporating Flash might be the answer. To view Flash content, visitors must have the right plug-in. Millions of users have it so far, and those who don’t can readily download it from the macromedia web site.
Rich Media - Although this can involve Flash, rich media also includes video and sound presentations, as well as interactive panoramas. It doesn't all have to be text and still pictures. This technology means your customers can tour your premises and see company introductions, or product demonstrations on video, through your site, on their computer.
Databases - If you are looking to include large amounts of information on your site, or be able to manage your site’s content yourself without programming knowledge, a web database might be the answer. Web database technology allows sites to contain vast amounts of information that is searchable, for instance, in the case of on-line catalogues and e-stores. On-line booking systems can use this technology to manage hotel or lodge bookings, even registering site user’s details.
Positioning in Search Engines
Anyone with a web site will be interested in where their site ranks in search engine listings and making it as close to the top of the list as possible. Lets look at some of the factors that determine search engine position.
One major factor is of course, the key words entered in a user’s search. Another, is the category they are searching under. Other important factors are site title, site content and the web site’s Meta-Tags.
Meta-Tags are lines of code in a web page that are invisible to normal viewing. They can contain key words and descriptions of a pages content. Many search engines can read this code, use it to decide what kind of site it is and where in a search the site will feature. Simply, the closer a users search matches the Meta Tags of a particular site, the higher up the search results that site will likely be.
Of course, no-one can guarantee that your site will have the number one spot in a search result, not without doing a deal with a search engine company. Even so, careful Meta-Tagging could make a difference to the likelihood of people finding your site through a search engine.
Although Meta Tags help decide a site’s position in a user’s search results, to get onto a search engine at all, a site must be submitted to an engine. There are literally hundreds of search engines out there and submitting your site to them all would take a while. Some companies, including Presbury & Company, offer a site submission service. We can submit your site to all engines that will accept it. Meta-Tags are also generated, aiming to give the best representation of your site.
Submission does not give instant results. Changes normally take up to three weeks to take effect, after which time, your site’s position is checked on the major search engines. This is the time to review the site’s Meta-Tags, to try and improve your position and then re-submit the site.
For more information about Presbury & Company Search Engine Submission Service contact us now on (01509) 600367.
Pipeline Services Ltd, have an effective corporate web site that implements a number of web technologies. The site found on www.pipelineservicesltd.com, includes an attractive and attention grabbing, animated interface, produced with Flash. Throughout the site, the main menu system incorporates Java Script and Dynamic HTML to add interactivity, while the online contact system incorporates PHP scripting to auto complete some details for the site visitor. The overall design ties in with and reinforces the companies existing corporate image.
When asked, Matthew Oakley of Pipeline Services said, "We were pleased with the service and found that Presbury & Company had good technical knowledge. We received continual support throughout the construction of the site, to ensure our needs were met. The finished product is of the highest standard and met all our requirements. We are very happy with the finished site.”
"Business will always be competitive. It's part of moving with new developments, attracting new customers and becoming established."
The word on everyone's lips is internet. Web sites appear everywhere you look, from billboards to TV adverts. Why do so many organisations seem to be going on-line? There are lots of reasons for getting on-line with a web site, with plenty of benefits for your company and your customers:
•To
keep up with competitors
•Credibility to your customers
•Taking orders or Bookings 24 hours a day
•Selling on-line
•Providing customer service
•Providing product information
•Aid company expansion or export
Keeping up with competitors Business will always be competitive. It's part of moving with new developments, attracting new customers and becoming established. What makes your company's product or service more desirable than another's, is at the very heart of competition. Web sites can provide benefits not otherwise available. While direct contact can be more effective, on-line contact is better than none. This is true especially when your competitors have a web site and you do not.
Credibility
What is your web address? Do you have a web site? Are questions becoming more common. Being able to point your customers to information available on your web site, can in many ways operate as an up-to-date company brochure and is a real plus for your credibility.
24-hour business
Most companies are not open 24 hours a day, but those times when you are closed could be prime internet time for lots of people, especially domestic users. If customers cannot contact your company directly to place orders or bookings, web applications can do just that in your absence.
Selling on-line
As with on-line bookings, your web site can help your company increase sales through on-line sales. A common myth is that e-commerce stores must take credit cards In fact, your web site can be tailored to meet your exact needs and take almost any form of payment you are geared up for. Another myth is that stores cost thousands, when in reality, they do not have to. Selling on-line can be set up for almost any budget and requirement.
Aid to Company Expansion
One great advantage with being on-line is that your sales area is no longer location based. Where traditionally you might have relied on your own phone book area, or passing trade for business, the web has no geographical boundaries. Going on-line can be an effective step to enlarging your customer base, geographical reach and even beginning to export if required.
Customer Service
Customer service information can be readily posted on-line. Providing location maps, address and contact information is a useful customer service, but it can go much further. Anything from product specifications, to instructions and help files can be included. This is a convenient method for your customers and also for your company, as many enquiries can be taken care of without personnel getting involved.
Product information
Some of your potential customers will want to look for information about you at their own convenience, maybe out of hours. Perhaps they are not ready or willing to make direct contact straight away. A company web site can contain all the information your customers might want to know and make it available at any time. Your web site could act as an on-line brochure for your products or services and as mentioned earlier, allow orders to be placed at any time. In effect, your web site can be a 24 hour shop window and sales person. Having said all that, to go on-line without care, might not lead to any great advantage. A professionally and well constructed company web site, will give you the advantage all in the relevant area.
It is important that you have an interactive internet shop window, designed especially for your needs and that you are supported by an ISP that is geared up to service you with all the trimmings necessary, to reach the benefits required.
For
more information on any of the topics above call 01509 600367
© 2001 Presbury & Company.