INTERNET
Are your users getting the most out of your website?
You can follow many different processes when developing the look of your website. The best approach seems to be the Agile approach. This is an approach that consists of three key iterations to developing the look of your website.
[1] Initial Sketch- This is the phase that consists with exploring different navigation ideas, developing possible ways to layout the content and developing a site map wireframing that determines on how the user can explore your website. Since this is an informal way of getting your ideas out, I would say just sketching the old fashion way, with pencil and paper. This approach is still the fastest way to getting ideas started.
[2] Prototype your sketch- This is the phase in which you start to formalize your sketch. Through a wireframing process you start to nail down exactly where you want all of the elements on each page to be placed. Decide on how the navigation is going to drive traffic through your site. For example; You want the user to hit the landing page where your initial statement will be made. Then you want them to discover your top level messages and/or services. Then each level has a sub level that discusses the topic in detail, until the user is ready to leave the site and has a way of contacting you. There are many things that need to be resolved within the prototype phase.
[3] Testing of the website- This is a very critical phase because there are many things to consider. There are many browsers to create for, there are possibly many different types of viewers that will have different thought processes, there are different types of computers, and so on. Test, test and re-test to ensure that your lauch will be a success.
The landscape of marketing your business is really changing fast! We have social media networks such as Twitter, YouTube Channels, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Getting your website out to as many clients as possible is an integral part of your marketing campaign. Selecting a look to your website is as critical to company perception, as a handshake is to the first time you greet a client, the look/theme you choose, is your first online perception.
You will want to decide whether you are looking to promote products, sell services and allow your customers to purchase items and services with an online shopping cart. You need to decide if your website is going to have online instructional videos. Your website can deliver a way of promoting a portfolio of images and music.
