Tips to a Successful Website

If you're going to do a website you'll want to do it right. After all, what's the point of having a website if you turn people away once they get there? There are so many things you can do with a website (and some less than cool), so let's talk about what you should and should not do.

1. Don't theme-out your website. Sure your favorite thing in life is golf, but does that mean you should have a golf-themed website? Not unless your business is a golf-supply store or you're a golf course. What would a golf-themed website say to some one who visits your law practice's website? It says "I'd much rather be spending your money playing golf than helping your cause".
2. Less is more. Your visitors will need to be able to find their destination quickly. Too many elements on a home page can overwhelm and they may hit that back button far quicker than you'd like. Make sure your navigation (menu) is easy to spot and detailed enough. While users aren't likely to read the text on your home page don't make the mistake of skipping text on your home page all together, but don't over do it. A basic description of your business that is keyword rich will serve you best.
3. Skip the mystery meat. Some websites try to be clever and will use simple icons for menu items that when you hover over them reveals the content hidden behind. Don't make your users work! It will only frustrate them. Be clear. Don't use clever terms instead of straight forward page or section names. "Holla" is not as effective as "Contact Us".
4. Flash intros are so 1996. They had their time and place. Don't do it. This falls in to the category of not making your users work. If they have to click simply to get to the actual content of your website you may lose them. Don't discount the number of people using DSL and dial-up. Your cool flash intro might load slowly and users will not wait around.
5. Skip the music. Ethical or not, people surf the web at work. Sure, maybe they do it on their own time, but does that mean they don't mind when they happen upon a website with techno beats blaring at them? Unless you're a band your website doesn't need music and nothing turns a visitor off more than music (ok, maybe it's second to the Flash intro).
6. Offer them something right up front. Do you sell products on your website? Put your most popular product right on the home page with a shopping cart buttons right there so they don't have to click anywhere to buy. Photographer? Put a gallery or a handful of photos right on your home page so people can start looking without clicking. Instant gratification should be the name of the game.