Silverblue Enterprises Encourages Businesses to Have Web Presence
Pam Vetter
March 17, 2009
Wanting to help people take the leap into the online world, Kathleen Resch and Jackie Edwards joined forces to create Silverblue Enterprises, a website and graphic design business.
"It's important to have a web presence," Jackie Edwards said. "Everyone needs a website to take a business to the next level."
In today's online environment, there are many things to consider in building a website.
"First, last and most important: Concentrate on your core message," Kathleen Resch noted. "What do you want to communicate to your intended audience? What do you want to sell or convey? Consider everything you want to include on your site with this idea in mind."
"Your opening message should be simple, clear and effective," Jackie added. "A new visitor won't stay if your message doesn't immediately convey to them the basics of what you have to offer. Look at competitor websites. How do you feel when you view them for the first time? Think of what attracts you as a potential customer, and what turns you off as a potential customer. Plan your content accordingly."
When promoting your business through a new website, simple is oftentimes better than complicating the message with too much information.
"People want information quickly. A busy, cluttered website that obscures your message will have them hitting the 'back' key. We design sites with simplicity and ease of use in mind. We want your customers reading your site, staying, and buying your products or services," Kathleen reinforced. "As soon as you know you're 'open for business' you need a website. Depending on your situation, a 'coming soon' site can help build potential interest. If you're doing a website to share an interest or hobby, start the design and layout with the knowledge that the concept will probably be revised several times before the final version is completed."
For first-timers who want to build a website or brand for themselves, it's possible to set yourself apart from your competitors.
"What makes your product or service unique? Why choose you and not the competition? Focus on your strong points, write good text and choose good images. We can find suitable images for you if you can't provide your own," Jackie said. "Colors are very important in setting mood. If you like, we can choose colors that are appropriate for your type of business, or work with you within your chosen color theme to find the best hues that display properly on the web."
While there are many options in creating a website, you don't have to use Flash or other elements that take a lot of time to load. The attention span of the average visitor is shockingly short.
"When someone visits a website for the first time, one to two seconds is the most time they'll spend there unless they're motivated to stay. People back out of slow-loading sites. Keep Flash and other effects simple and focused on your message. If those effects are just there to say 'Gee, gosh wow, look at me' and don't focus on your core message, they wind up confusing or distracting your potential customer," Jackie explained. "Think about capturing the attention of the online audience in an effective way."
The ladies have a wealth of experience in helping clients with design. In fact, Kathleen has a publishing and graphic design background. She has also worked in book and newsletter design and production.
Jackie started out working for a newspaper in the advertising department, then moved to California where she has done publishing and website design.
There are many choices in gaining the attention of your market.
"You could create a newsletter. A newsletter is basically a print 'web page;' it needs to convey the same information in much the same way as a website," Kathleen explained. "Brochures, flyers and self-published books all are additional ways to 'get yourself' out there and promote your business or service."
It's also important to drive people to your website. "A good list of keywords is important. Come up with a list of all the words and phrases that describe your site so search engines can find you. Size and boldness of type, page content and varying page content all help to attract the search engines. Be sure to list your site on your business card, stationery, etc. We also offer a 'writing service.' Many people don't have experience writing effective text. If you don't feel comfortable writing your own text, we'll be happy to interview you and write your content to your specifications," Jackie offered. "Your success is our success. We want the online audience to find your site and continue visiting. And, most importantly, we understand budgets and will never push you to buy things you don't need. We can create a simple website to effectively promote your business and keep within your budget. The choices are endless!"
For more information visit www.silverblueenterprises.com or write to info@silverblueenterprises.com
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