How to Build an Effective Web Site

When is comes to the Internet, there are two things for certain. First, nothing is fore sure. Second, the rules are constantly changing. With these things in mind, the following steps can help you to build an effective website - essential if you're going to succeed online.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Plan your website.
   Before anything, ask yourself why you want to build a website in the first place. Besides a web site being the most powerful tool in the history of marketing, you've got to know ahead of time what you want to accomplish with your site. For example, do you want to inform, buy or sell?
2. Create Great Content.
   Great content is ultimately going to be what attracts people and keeps them coming back to your site. It's going to keep them there and give them incentive to visit on a regular basis. This can be accomplished by keeping your content current, relevant and specific to your visitor's interests and concerns.
3. Good Design.
   According to well-known statistics, you only have 3 seconds to make a first impression on your visitor. Within the first 3 seconds, a visitor will either take a look and decide to stay for more or they'll leave. Those that immediately leave, do so most often, because they find the site too confusing or too loud on the eyes. Ultimately, it's the design of the site that most influences a visitor's decision whether to stay or click away.
4. Interactive Involvement.
   Involve your visitors instead of just requiring them to read. For example, give them a quiz, a poll or an option to subscribe to your newsletter or website. You can also get your visitors involved with your site by inviting them to sign up for a free prize drawing, free gift or e-book. Whatever is it, involve them. The more you involve your website visitors, the more they will involve you.
5. Production.
   The first 4 steps are fairly simple. The 5th step is simply the production of your site. This is just putting your first 4 steps online. If you don't know how to do it yourself, there are hosts of companies out there who will produce your site online for you.
6. Follow-Up!
   Following up with your site's visitors is often overlooked. Don't make the mistake of ignorning your visitors. When people visit your site and for example, email you with a question, you must follow up! Further, it's best to respond back as soon as possible - don't wait. Acknowledge those that visit and involve themselves with your site. Your visitors want to know that you're aware of their existence and that you care enough about them to respond.
7. Site Promotion.
   Promote your site online by registering it with several search engines and by linking with other sites. Promote your site offline by using newspapers, word-of-mouth and business cards. Get creative with promotion. There are countless ways in which to promote your site on and offline.
8. Site Maintenance.
   Don't make the mistake of putting up a site and then walking away from it. Take the necessary time and effort required in changing, updating and refreshing your site. Maintenance of your site is essential. You've got to constantly give your visitors fresh reasons to keep coming back.

Tips & Warnings

• A good rule and piece of advice to follow when it comes to good web site design is to keep it simple. Research has proven that when people are presented with too many choices, they get confused and often leave.
• Be sure to make your website's navigation clear and simple. This will allow your visitors to easily reach your content.