PetWise and Street Smart
What do I need on my website? Part 1 of 3
When it comes to websites, content is king. You can have a great design or a great ecommerce system, but without content it’s just a pretty background on a blank page. However, for some, starting with that blank page is daunting; where to get started, and where to go next isn’t intuitive. Other people may have a good handle on a few pages they have written up, but need some help fleshing out their site.
Do I Really Need a Website?
These days it’s rare to find someone who isn’t online for some reason. For some people it’s a source of information; for some it’s a great way to shop; some people use it to play games or socialize; and some people use it for business. Given the ubiquity of the internet and the diversity of its use there is absolutely no excuse not to have a web presence for your business. If you are still wondering if a good website can do anything for your business, take a look at the results of a recent study conducted by Georgia Tech:
Nearly 85% of all U.S. households have Internet access, and more than 90% of users say they find businesses and services through internet search engines.
In other words, 76.5% of your community’s population finds veterinary services on the web.
Creating your website, a design process by the numbers.
Some people are starting with a blank slate when it comes to creating their website and want some advice on how to get started. I’ve read numerous articles on the subject, one that stood out was from the folks at Scratchmedia. I’ve tried to boil it down a bit and apply it to PetWise websites:
- Know your goals.
- Know what the site needs to do.
- Know what the site's visitors want.
- Get a good picture of the personality and style of the web site.
- Create scenarios and organize these views into a site map.
- Decide layout, essential features, and style.