Online companies need to tick all three boxes

Today all websites should include a CMS (content management system) to offer the users of the site dynamically updating content, for example a blog. Also the inclusion of some social media into the site is important. Today the internet is based on three things; openness, user generated content, and interaction, a database driven website can make this possible.

There are a number of suggestions I am making to clients on a regular basis about improving their websites and including a social media angle in their marketing budget (Forgive the generic-ness but this is the nature of the post – and not wanting the name any clients).

• All websites should build a hierarchy navigation system with no more than five menu options and two links – this is different for catalogue style websites (online shops) but for content sites this is a good rule of thumb. I suggest this to my clients because it is the best way for a user will find the information they need.
• The Sub-menus will contain all the other elements of the site. There is no reason to include a third level of navigation, this is a big determinate of how easy it is for a user to find the information they are interested in – if the user can’t find the information within the first two clicks they are more than likely to click off the site.
• The homepage design should incorporate an information block at the top of the site, before everything else. This block can be written by the PR team and SEO (search engine optimized) checked. This will be used to optimize your website for search engine rankings using a number of factors including keyword and tag techniques.
• Below the information block, which is static, it is a good idea to include a news or blog section. This adds interactivity for users and freshness for search engines.
• A rolling news feed or RSS feed can help hone the message to your clients by formatting the news feed to receive news from sectors your business is involved in.
• Using PR to exchange links with people and companies for your website will greatly improve exposure of the site. These links have to be stored somewhere visible on the site.
• Using elements of social media will also improve your online reputation and exposure. Depending on the situation a blog can be included with the design of the site, or as a social media avenue with a link from the site, or a separate entity altogether. This all depends on the business and the type of message the client is outputting.
• Finally, develop a social media homepage. Be it MySpace, Facebook or whatever. Make this your home in the world of social media. Of course you should have links to and from the social media page and your website but remember the social media homepage has very different aims from the website. The social media homepage is a place where you can springboard new ideas and content, it is a place where users can become ‘friends of the brand’ and most of all it is a place where the users can ‘trust’ the output of the content because the site is controlled by a third party and not by a business.

 

Today companies online need to tick three boxes – 1, website design, 2, search engine optimized content, design and structure, 3, social media interaction, if a company can do that they stand themselves in good sted for users and customers alike to showup and buy.