Planning, Developing, and Promoting Successful Small Business Websites

Table of Contents

Website Planning
Plan Your Web Site Effectively for Max Success

Types of Websites
Explore the types of Web Site Business Models

Site Types 2
More information on the strategic types of sites

Strategic Planning
Strategy Planning is essential to Success

Strategic Planning 2
Make sure your strategy is up to snuff

Strategic Planning 3
Technical Strategic Planning an Outsourcing Contract Work

Strategic Planning 4
More on Outsourcing Contract Work

Content Planning
Deciding what will go on your business site and who will provide it

Content Planning 2
Determing a schedule for content management

Content Planning 3
Automation for Content Syndication

Keyword Planning Suggestions on preparing keyword research for your site.

Information Architecture
Brainstorming and organizing the architecture of your website.

Information Architecture 2
More discussion on the lower tiers of site heirarchy

Technology Planning Scaleability considerations for large and growing sites.

Tech Planning 2Weighing the value of flash technology.

Budgetary Planning
Creating a budget and using it effectively

Budgetary Planning 2
What type of web host will you need?

Budgetary Planning 3
Labor related expenses for site creation

Budgetary Planning 4
Measuring financial success and ROI

Developing a Web Site

Design and Development
Establishing the importance of credibility in design.

Form Versus Function
Establishing the design priorities of a site.

Writing the Initial Code
Programming considerations for when you get down to programming.

Web Design Coding

Design and Layout
Technology

Development
User

Psychology Considerations

Website Colors

User Satisficing

Validation and Usability Testing

Usability Testing

Search Engine Friendly

Webpage Development

Title Tags

SEO Variables

Promoting a Web Site

Promotion and Analysis

Offline Promotion

Pay-Per-Click Advertising

Promotion

PPC Tools

Search Engine Optimization

SEO History

Google History

E-mail Marketing

Website Analysis

Conclusion

Planning, Developing, and Promoting a Successful Small Business Website



Designing Websites for Small Business
Page 27

Colors to Use on a Website

Another important decision that effects the mindset of users is the color of a site. Since most website’s goals include increasing the length of user’s visits, it is best to use colors that are easy on the eyes and do not create visual exhaustion. Loud, bright colors are generally not a good idea for the primary colors of a site. Hitbox.com, a leading website marketing research company, states, “don't use too much red, it's hard on the eyes. Ditto for bright yellow or orange. And what about having too many colors? Unless your trying to emulate a tie-dyed experience of the '70's stay away from too many colors that will clash and compete with each other.” (Color with Flare, Hitbox.com) These colors should be reserved for very limited use when trying to command a user’s attention. “In contrast to the warm colors, the cool colors are inactive or passive.” (Sasaki, 1991) Cool, pastel colors should be used for the overall design of a site to release tension and promote staying time on the website.

Color can also be used in company branding when trying to increase brand awareness, increase brand loyalty, or entice product purchase (Lee, 2002, colormatters.com). Users will associate the colors used on a site (or other advertising) with the company using them. It is important to convey the correct message when choosing color. The choice of colors can have a long-term impact on the success of a site by unconsciously effecting the behavior of visitors.


 

 

Appendices
(All in a single document) Appendix 1-1: Overture Search Term
Research Tool


Appendix 1-2: Wordtracker Search Query Research Tool


Appendix 1-3: Google Sets Website Theme Research Tool


Appendix 1-4: Reach/ Acquire/ Convert/ Retain

Chart
Appendix 2-5: Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth Information Architecture Flowchart

Appendix 2-6: Search Engine Themes Pyramid Information Architecture Example


Appendix 2-7: Webpage Download Time by File Size Chart


Appendix 2-8: Expected Locations for Common E-commerce Elements


Appendix 2-9: Website Usability Checklist


Appendix 2-10: Text Vs.Code Ratio/ Content Near the Top of Souce Code Examples


Appendix 3-11: Overture Bid Price Tool


Appendix 3-12: Webalizer Website Visitor Tracking Tool


Appendix 3-13: AW STATS Website Visitor Tracking Tool
Appendix

3-14: Clicktracks Website Statistics
Analysis Tool


References

Author Notes

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Planning, Developing, and Promoting a Successful Small Business Website

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