Nicole Roach from BizCentral USA gave a presentation on developing an effective business website. She discussed the basics of web development and design, key elements every business website should have, and a 5 step process for website development. The presentation provided an overview of website design and structure, and concluded with a question and answer session.
Falcon Invoice Discounting: Empowering Your Business Growth
Must Have Small Business Website Features
1. Key Speaker
Nicole Roach
Marketing Coordinator
BizCentral USA
Administrator
Grace Dunlap
Marketing Assistant
HBIF Meeting 12-09
BizCentral USA
2. • BizCentral USA: A “One-stop” resource
center for small business resources
nationwide!
• Key Speaker: Nicole Roach
• Questions
• Recorded Webinar Available At:
– http://www.bizcentralusa.com/webinararchive/index.php
3. I. Basics of a Business Website
II. Top Features Every Business Website
Should Have
III. A 5 Step Process to Developing your
Website
IV. Overview and Q & A
4.
5. • Web Development:
• A broad term for any activity
related to developing a
website for the World Wide
Web or an internet.
• Web development can
range from developing the
simplest static single page of
plain text to the most
complex web-based internet
applications, electronic
businesses, or social network
services.
6. • Website:
• A collection of related web pages, images, videos or
other digital assets that are addressed with a
common domain name or IP address.
• The pages of a web site can usually be accessed
from a simple Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
called the homepage.
• Example: http://www.BizCentralUSA.com
• A web site is hosted on a web server, accessible
via the Internet or private Local Area Network
(LAN).
7. • The art of website design will utilize and
combine multiple disciplines such as:
• Animation
• Communication Design
• Graphic Design
• Corporate Branding
• Information Architecture
• Marketing
• Photography
• Search Engine Optimization
• Writing/Authoring
8.
9. • The are a variety of elements used on
the BizCentral USA homepage:
• Flash Banner
• Graphic Design Promotions
• Video
• Marketing Content
• Social Media (Blog, Bookmarks, E-newsletter
signup)
• Spanish Version
• Site Search
11. •The homepage is the URL or local file that
automatically loads when a web browser starts
or when the browser's "home" button is pressed.
•A homepage usually contains:
•A general welcome message or overview about
the company or organization.
•The companies logo.
•Any special promotions or events going on in the
form of graphic banners or media.
•A navigation bar that can guide users to other
points on a website.
12. •The About Us page should effectively
explain the company's purpose and
what it stands for.
•An „About Us‟ page usually contains:
Background information
Awards and distinguished honors
Information on corporate programs and initiatives
Team/Staff member biographies
13. •Serves the purpose of
providing the users a variety of
ways to contact the company.
•A „Contact Us‟ page usually
consists of:
•Phone Contact
•Fax Contact
•Physical Location of the Office
•Directions to the Office
•Email Contact
14. •The „Products and Services‟ page has a primary goal of
introducing consumers and users to what a company
offers.
•More in depth pages can be added for each sub-
category if a company offers a variety of services.
15. •A „Sitemap‟ is a list of pages of a web site accessible to
users.
•A „Sitemap‟ generally lists the pages on a website,
typically organized in hierarchical fashion.
Thishelps visitors easily
find quick access to
pages on a website.
It
also contributes to a
websites search engine
optimization.
16.
17. •A Frequently Asked Questions (or FAQ's) page can
be great way of providing information to your
visitors.
•Frequently Asked Questions should address your
client's concerns and provide guidance to them.
•Typical FAQ's are:
• "How much does it cost?“
• "Where do I get more information about XYZ?"
• "How long does it take?"
18.
19.
20. •A newsletter is a great way of generating repeat
business by informing previous clients of special offers
and new services.
•If your business or service is one which would benefit
from letting your customers and clients know what is
going on you may want to
put a newsletter on the
website.
21. •Content is King!
•Content Development Tips:
• Emphasize text accordingly.
• Be brief and punchy.
• Don‟t forget it is all about the user.
• Include keywords effectively.
22. •5 Processes to Web Developing:
•Planning: the process of defining and gathering information
about the websites audience, purpose, objectives, and
policies.
•Analysis: the process of evaluating information consistency,
correctness and the technical makeup of the website.
•Design: the process of creating a map of the relationships
among pages of the website and the look and feel of
individual pages.
•Implementation: the process of creating files of HTML (and
associated software, such as Java applets).
•Innovation: the process of continuously and creatively
working to improve the website to meet user needs.
23. •Congratulations, you have a
website, but what good is it if
nobody can find it?
•Search Engine Optimization is the
next step that must be completed
once a website is complete.
SEO
•SEO is the process of improving
the volume or quality of traffic
(visits) to a website from search
engines via "natural" ("organic“)
search results.
24. •Having a Website provides a company with the
opportunity to add a lot of information about
their organization.
•Added features gives a company the ability to
record prospect information, engage users and
foster relationships.
•SEO is the next step to attaining a successful
website!
25. • BizCentral Small Business Services
• Business Plan Writing
• Business Certifications
• Incorporation
• Website Development
• Graphic Design
• Marketing
• Bookkeeping & Accounting
• Nonprofit Services
