must have small business website features

HBIF Meeting 12-09

Administrator

Grace DunlapMarketing Assistant

BizCentral USA

Key Speaker

Nicole Roach

Marketing Coordinator

BizCentral USA

• 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

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

• 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.

• 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).

• 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

• 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

Homepage

SitemapAbout Us

Contact UsProducts

•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.

•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

•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

•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.

•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.

This helps visitors easily

find quick access to

pages on a website.

It also contributes to a

websites search engine

optimization.

•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?"

•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.

•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.

•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.

•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 is the process of improving

the volume or quality of traffic

(visits) to a website from search

engines via "natural" ("organic“)

search results.

SEO

•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!

• BizCentral Small Business Services

• Business Plan Writing

• Business Certifications

• Incorporation

• Website Development

• Graphic Design

• Marketing

• Bookkeeping & Accounting

• Nonprofit Services

• Social Media Breakdown:

• 6-15-2010 3pm EST

• Contact Us

• Nicole Roach: Nicole@bizcentralusa.com

• Grace Dunlap: Grace@bizcentralusa.com

• Visit www.BizCentralUSA.com or Call 407-857-9002

www.twitter.com/bizcentralusa Facebook Fan Page:

BizCentral USA