You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your business cards and other marketing collateral materials. You want to include your website address (also called a URL) to build your credibility. However, you're not quite ready to write and design a full website. At the same time, you don't think it's a good idea to distribute your new printed materials showing your website URL and to have only a blank web page waiting for your potential client's inquiries. What to do?
Does this sound familiar? Many entrepreneurs who are starting small businesses find themselves in this position. We suggest that you build a one-page website to use in the interim. Elements to design into your one-page website include:
- Your brand identity graphics. Include your logo and visual vocabulary elements on your website for a consistent look and feel across your materials and to build your brand recognition.
- A short description of your business. This description should be between one paragraph and one page in length when typed into a Microsoft Word document, and it should also be concise. You don't want your one-page website to be a scrolling monstrosity, website visitors will read the content of a shorter page. And, the ultimate goal of your page is for people to read it and learn more about you!
- Your contact information. It's very important to include information about how to get in touch with you ? in case someone stumbles upon your website, becomes interested, and wants to hire you! It will also serve as a great reference for any of your current clients or anyone you meet while networking who loses your business card before they have a chance to call you.
- A testimonial from a client, to enhance your business's credibility. An enthusiastic, signed testimonial by a real person ? you provide a link to their website as "proof" of their existence ? will begin to calm any fears that a potential client may have. This makes even a basic one-page website compelling.
You will see that even a one-page website can bring in new clients and help to convert prospects to clients. And, since having a website is a "must" in today's business world, your marketing package will be up to date as well.
You can use a one-page site as a starting point for a much larger site in a step-by- step manner. Writing one or two web pages at a time and developing a five- to six- page (or more!) site over a period of time is a much less daunting task than developing a full site all at once. Even my 330+ page (and counting!) website started as a one-page site.
The most common excuse that people have for not having a website for their business is that they don't know what to include on it. If you have a hard time writing a single page about your business, try recording yourself talking to a friend or client about your business ? it's often easier to tell someone your story than to stare at a blank page.
Another reason to have a one-page website developed would be to get a jumpstart on building search engine rankings. You can include search engine keyword phrases into the text on the page, and then submit the one-page site to the engine's ranking software. You'll get established in the search engines and will be able to begin building your site's search engine profile and history. This is the beginning of excellent search engine optimization and the first step on the path toward great rankings that will drive many visitors to your site.
A great advantage of having a one-page website is that you can include your URL on your printed materials. You won't have to reprint your cards and collateral when you do launch your full site!
About the Author
Erin Ferree, Founder and Lead Designer of elf design, is a brand identity and graphic design expert. She has been helping small businesses grow with bold, clean and effective logo and marketing material designs for over a decade. elf design offers the comprehensive graphic and web design services of a large agency, with the one- on-one, personalized attention of an independent design specialist. Erin works closely in partnership with her clients to create designs that are visible, credible and memorable ? and that tell their unique business stories in a clear and consistent way. For more information about elf design, please visit: logo design at logo design
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..Let's face it. Building a web site that browses consistently... Read More
So you're on the computer, as usual. Your eyes are... Read More
The concept of web designing based on the nature and... Read More
You've come up with a great product. You've got the... Read More
Design sells. It's something that all of us know, but... Read More
Are you looking for somebody to build you a website,... Read More
Making a poorly designed website is one of the easiest... Read More
No matter what product or service you're promoting, unless you... Read More
What is web usability & why is it important?Web usability... Read More
Many people hire professional web site designers for as much... Read More
If you are anything like me, your website is a... Read More
Building a website can be overwhelming, here are some design... Read More
Sin #5Poor Spelling And GrammarWe all make mistakes when we... Read More
Web Design is a very subjective process. Your idea of... Read More
Do you know why the majority of people use the... Read More
Squeeze pages are a very hot topic in the internet... Read More
Avoid these mistakes and your site will be steps ahead... Read More
When your company built its website, did you think about... Read More
This article may come as a surprise to you.Especially since... Read More
Your business website tells a lot about your company. A... Read More
Website design is a very competitive area and there is... Read More
In today's age of fast food and high-speed Internet, a... Read More
Color is one of the most important but least understood... Read More
If there's one thing that I've learnt so far, it's... Read More
When you begin the design of your Web site, one... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..This is the second part of a two-part article about... Read More
Imagine you're going on a blind date. You've heard wonderful... Read More
There are plenty of Drupal Modules that you can install... Read More
The .htaccess file is a control file located in your... Read More
You have good traffic, but low client sign ups and... Read More
Color is everywhere and conveys a message even if we... Read More
Since I'm a web designer, I have a tendency to... Read More
Regardless whether you manage a small business, charitable organization, or... Read More
Argh, where's the contact button?! Believe it or not, some... Read More
Do you know why the majority of people use the... Read More
The great debate: how much copy you should have on... Read More
When I purchase something from a web site I first... Read More
Are you in a dilemma whether to create a mini... Read More
**How Colors are Used in web design:**Demarcates screen elements into... Read More
When you're self-employed, choosing a website designer is a crucial... Read More
When designing elements for your webpage, you will often be... Read More
Does website design make a difference in how long people... Read More
Have you seen Jesse James on the... Read More
You may not believe it, but people still judge things... Read More
Projecting a professional image is paramount to your website's success.... Read More
We've all read the countless publications about effective web site... Read More
A search engine robot actually reads the wording on your... Read More
If you have a business, big or small you may... Read More
Sooner or later every small or medium business owner realizes... Read More
Before you start worrying about marketing your website on the... Read More
Web Design |