A little more detail on website design

A lot of work goes into designing and developing a website.
Many of the pieces are standard applications which help the basic structure.
But the test of any website is how it performs in its marketing environment.
Technically, it will only perform if it is set up properly.

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Website elements

Design
The process of how the site will look. This includes how the menu systems come out, the level of functionality required, the content layouts for each page.

Development
The creation of the site to meet the technical needs of the design. The amount of development is dependent on what functions the site should do. This ranges from Basic to E-commerce.

Databases
Additional requirement of sites is to build databases which allow users to make selections. In E-commerce you have, product categories, product type and price. Each is a separate database with input, edits. 

It is all about content

What is content
We refer to this a lot because it is anything that creates text and images online. The actual pages on a website have "content".
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Importance of content
Content delivers the information and messages you want to send. It also creates a catalogue of material which can be indexed by search engines and used to support your rankings. Good quality content turns videos viral...

Uses of content
Website, Video, Podcasts, Blogs, Articles, Newsletters, Networks, File sharing sites

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The key aspects of a website is to ensure that it communicates with customers and prospects, and collects data.
​It is the most important medium in any online marketing activity.

Your Website Is A Powerful Marketing Medium

We do build websites.  Over 10 years we have developed a global network of associations and have access to award winning design. The short video opposite showcases some of the best.

The basic reality - often missed -  is that the Website is a communication medium. To be effective in today's business environment it is an essential piece of any marketing system.

We can build a core centrepiece which:

• Promotes your brand;
• A full business cycle through Ecommerce; and
• Other variations.

We can also develop an effective marketing approach using a multi-website approach. Here we develop small (micro) sites to drive product launches and sales promotions.

The additional developments in design have produced new pressures to satisfy mobile users. Basically the future predicts less PC use and more Smartphone and Tablet devices. These are:

• Responsive Web Design ("RWD"). (See more)
• Mobile applications (See here)

A piece of nostalgia. Historic sites which were worthy of web awards, from WSI and our former technology partners. The variety of site indicates that there is unlimited scope for you to have the website which suits your business or organisation, and your ambitions.

​We apply a mix of resources to deliver websites, e-commerce solutions and applications. These involve using skilled development houses and individuals. When it comes to customisations and a more high  level set of requirements, standard packages are not enough to deliver the performance or results a client would need.

Responsive Web Design
This a process of web design where we create one site which adapts its size to fit the devices. The screen size automatically fits: Personal Computers, Tablets, and Smartphones.  Just like the site you are looking at now.

The benefit is that the user has the opportunity to keep you with him at all times. This is especially useful as the user's "buying process" normally involves several trips back to the site before making a decision. (More on RWD)

A quick solution for SME's

Move quickly and at low cost with Responsive Web Design (RWD). You are currently looking at a site which uses RWD, and adjusts automatically to the "user device". This approach is now essential.

E-commerce for successful retailing

Retailing needs to have online sales. Is it just a convenience for your customers or is it part of your business strategy. The objective dictates what you need to develop and how much you need to spend.

Promotions & Special Deals

It is unlikely that you can avoid a special promotion, clearance sale, or even generous discounts. The potential danger is that you are one of many. We have some ideas on how you can stand out. See here.

Social media - the conversation should include your website

Social Media campaigns are good for opening a discussion or debate.  
For a business you can interact with an audience simply through direct engagement:

• Do you like our product?
• Do you have problems with the service?
• Here is the latest offer.
• Identifying special deals and discounts

You can use Facebook, Twitter and the rest to make the initial contact. (See more on this...)  

The conversation will only take shape through the main content on the website.  The website will construct more detailed content, show all the offers, and how the customer can take up the offer.
The engagement is continuous, seamless and helps "sell to the customer". 

We mention this because it often does not happen. The links between the core website and social media are often not maintained, or overlooked. So a lot of effort is wasted.

An Integrated Marketing approach is the key. Every strategic approach has several tactics to execute it effectively. If the marketing approach is not coordinated then potential contacts and sales can slip through the cracks. 

Find out more about how we develop a full-proof marketing approach.