The appeal to have a web presence seems quite simple at first. You may have a product or service you want to promote or sell and feel the need to market yourself on the web. It is a great idea, and can definitely improve the health of your cause. Like most things, however, ‘throwing up’ a web-site is not as easy as it sounds, even if you have a great web-designer and developer to help you out. Good web-sites can be propelled by a good design and a slick user interface, but a great site has had much more thought behond this. Here are a few steps to turn a good web-project into a great one:

1. Create an Outline
   As a giddy future web-site owner, your first inclination is usually one of two things: style and time. Style, meaning the ‘wow’ of your web-site, and time, meaning how quick you can get it up and functional. The biggest favor you can do for your new web-site is to table these two elements for a short while, and devote some focused time in creating a detailed outline for the content of your site. Start by writing down the main pages of your website, followed by the content that will flow within them. Good, ole ‘ fashion outlines with Roman numerals work great, although some people prefer the more interesting thought, or brainstorming bubbles. The more detailed you can get in this stage, the easier it will be implementing and organizing the your content in the later stages of the project. Having this ready before the design process begins will also help your designer better build the web-site around the content, which enables a better user experience.
2. Hire a Photographer
   Yes, I understand, your budget is quite tight. The web-site cost itself may be a bit overwhelming; even so, I still highly recommend professional assistance in the area of photography. In my design experience, great photography can take your site from a 5 to a 9 with an extremely low cost for the amount in return. Most professional photographers will charge a small ‘on site’ fee on top of their hourly rate to come out to your place and take photos. An hour’s worth of photography yielding 50+ digital photos usually only runs from $100 - 300 dollars. Still not convinced? Chances are you know someone who owns a decent camera, or has some impressive camera skills. Consider asking them for assistance or to borrow their camera and take them out for dinner. Do anything you can to get some great shots for your web-site.
3. Hire a Copywriter
   Okay, I know we are talking more money, but we’re also talking about valuable investments. A copywriter is an individual who has been trained in the area of writing text to market products. Many copywriters these days specialize in web copy, which not only greatly improves the user’s experience on your web-site, but is heavy on ‘key-words’ that attract the targeted market to your web-site. Many web copywriters have a good knowledge in search engine optimization and can greatly help your web-site move to the top of the search engines for specific key words relating to your venture. Great writers can make your site fun, witty, and professional, enabling you to keep visitors for longer periods of time. Chances are, your web-developer can refer you to a great web copywriter.
4. Create a Blog
   Even though Blogs are a dime a dozen these days, I am a huge fan. A blog can turn a static, boring product or business into a dynamic and fun connection point for your customers. It can also help keep your site fresh and appealing to the Search Engines by driving more traffic to your web-site. Apart from a marketing standpoint, blogging is fun!

I often encourage my clients to approach their web-project as the most important piece of marketing material they will have. Don’t skimp on planning, invest in great copy and photography, and have fun with it by starting a blog.