The architecture of your web site has a direct impact on the profitability of your site.
Further, the tips and tricks of web design change all the time. So, unless you want to be a full-time web designer, you probably want to work with a professional webdesigner when putting together your website.
To better understand the complexities of web design, please take 5 minutes to read the following article.
The most widely used and effective form of encryption is SSL - or Secure Socket Layer - which simply means that the data transfer between your website, as well as any data entered by your customers, such as credit card information, is encrypted or encoded when transferred between the customer’s browser and your server. This technology isn’t foolproof in terms of invincibility, but it does assure your customers that their information cannot be seen or decoded by a hacker while the data is in transit.
The cost to have your website professionally designed grows exponentially with each feature you want to have added, but the time and money are probably a wise investment, particularly when your entire business depends on effective marketing and sales tools. A few thousand dollars spent now designing a proper website can show a return on investment many times over if your customers can reach you, buy what they need, and have a pleasant experience on your site.
Encryption and security are significant considerations for your website - with identity theft and credit card fraud on the rise, it’s increasingly important to ensure that your customers are as safe as possible from internet hackers and thieves. E-commerce is possible because commercial websites can process credit card and other forms of electronics safely and securely, thus ensuring customer financial information is kept confidential.
Personal websites, of course, should resonate with your personal style - an NFL player wouldn’t necessarily have a website with unicorns, butterflies and bouquets of flowers (although anything is possible!) Most personal websites reveal their owner’s beliefs, whether hateful or hopeful, productive or destructive, incoherent or concise. Be clear about your message - the more people can understand what you’re trying to say, the greater the chances they’ll spend more time exploring your website.
Before you think about the options of designing your own web page, or hiring a professional web designer to assist you, there are some basic questions you need to ask yourself, and come up with the answers that fit your specific situation. If you don’t have a clue as to what you want, just a general idea, head straight for a professional designer who can turn your ideas into a solid reality.
Whether you are in the process of setting up a simple personal website that outlines your family history, or a more complex website that offers hundreds or even thousands of products, web designis a critical component of style, presentation and effective marketing.
Not every website needs a custom logo, or flash components or video presentations - it’s much more important to have a professional appearance and functionality. If your customers can’t find your order page, are unable to tell what inventory or products you have for sale - you have a serious problem, and your e-commerce dreams are likely to be unfulfilled.
An investment business, on the other hand, wouldn’t be advised to use hot pink colors and teeny-bopper music on their site - investors are looking for brokers who are serious about handling and investing money. A more sober and somber look to this website would be in keeping with the functionality of the site.
The technical portion of website design includes using the appropriate programming script, i.e. HTML or Javascript, to allow the site to function properly. A professional web designer should also provide a basic page outline and easy navigation, server management, such as where file should be stored, and site maintenance and updates, since glitches occur and you will need to update your company information periodically.
Many times website owners approach a professional designer and ask: what would it cost to set up a simple, 10-page website? This question usually brings back a flood of questions from the designer - what exactly are you looking for? Do you need a custom logo designed for your company? How about a merchant gateway? Inventory options? Are you planning on using videos on your site? What about integrating flash components into your overall presentation?
Your website will also need a shopping cart - not a real one, of course, but a virtual cart. When your customers wish to order a product or service, they click on the order button and that product or service goes into their shopping cart, which can then take them through the checkout process in order to register the sale and transfer your money to you.
The final category of website design is that of generating direct sales, whether by e-commerce methods - meaning selling products and services solely online, or e-commerce plus mail order options, which means the product or service can either be sold in person or online. An example of this type of website could include such businesses as a bookstore or a wedding supply store.
1. W3Schools Tutorials for HTML, WML, XML, ASP, programming, databases, and general web building.
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