When visitors click on our web sites, they want to know what services, products, expertise or information we offer them. Our home page is their first impression.
But if you think that just means web design, then consider what Christopher Merrill, web designer, says. “Before you launch your web site, start with content, not design. Then, when it’s time for design, make sure that first impression reflects the real you.”
When we meet someone personally through one-on-one networking, our “on site presence” and interaction can offer rewarding communication and opportunities. Given all the factors that affect 1st person PR, however, we either connect or we do not connect or we don’t know yet. A similar phenomenon occurs on our web site. A big exception is that, in person, we cannot hide behind a site construction.
So when first starting a site, think content. What do you offer your targeted visitors: services, products, experience, credentials, integrity, professionalism, passionate interest, authenticity, unique voice? As Christopher points out, our site’s design can be visually interesting and dynamic, but its first goal is to engage visitors in the substance of who we are and what we can do for them. “Do not send mixed messages because you want to reassure them that they have come to the right place. If your graphic presentation conflicts with who you really are, it can work against you,” Christopher adds.
Once you’ve established your “self” through informative content, it’s time for web design. It can include photos, testimonials, links to social media and other resources, feeds, downloads, newsletter, releases, blog, and other possibilities. Choose what works for you, understanding that it will evolve and change over time.
Whether entrepreneurs, international corporations or nonprofits, we are all works in progress with possibilities.
Great, isn’t it!
I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!
Thanks, and I’m thinking about my next post.
Hope you return.
Sally
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.
I’ll try.
Took me awhile to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be very useful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also engaged! I’m sure you had fun writing this article.
Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for posting. Great article.
Your writing is detailed. Pay tribute to you. Couldn’t be written any better. Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept talking about this subject, and I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!
Good! Thank you! I always wanted to write in my site something like that. Can I take part of your post to my blog?
I never, ever imagined I would have to know this, and thank goodness for the internet, right?
Right.
What’s your site?
Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change.
Your blog is extremely exciting, and I wish to communicate with you?
My email address is on the home page of my web site.
Thank you but cannot blog every day.
Wow, I’m on Delicious!
This blog has many good points, but I’m going to retweet it to my co-workers and see what they think. I’m always getting stuff in my email from them, so I might as well share some cool things I find. Thanks.
K. Littler
Sounds like a good idea, and I would like to know what they think.
I’m considering several things, including link exchange, and will decide as soon as I can.
Beautiful, just beautiful! Love to see stories that make you feel good. Too bad we do not get more of these.This made my heart smile…………
Just found your site through google and I think it is a shame that you are not ranked higher since this is a great post. To change this I decided to add your site to my RSS reader and I will try to mention you in one of my posts because you really deserve more readers when publishing content of this quality.
I see quite a few sites which look interesting and worth a read…to find a couple which hold one’s attention. Many thanks. Great job!
I completely agree. That’s pretty much what I was just telling my partner!
I want to thank you for this great read!! I am definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
What part needs expanding, and I’ll try.
Thanks for your nice thoughts.