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Keys to Starting a Great Website!

Content Management System

Content Management Systems, often referred to as CMS, are easy ways to maintain and manage a website. When starting an online business it can be a difficult decision determining what is best for your situation. However, starting at a business with the essential tools can save you a tremendous amount of time and frustration in the long run!

Deciding to work with a CMS can in fact make life much easier. A product such as the AAO Easy Site Builder, or a similar product, will allow you the growth in functionality and ease of use for years to come.

Website Check List

A few things to consider when starting your site include:

What features do you need on your website?
Will you need a shopping cart or will you in the future?
Do you know html?
Will you be able to maintain your website?


Professional Look

As a potential customer you would be more apt to purchase from a business that looks professional and well organized. This should also be a consideration when you create your own website. Creating a clean, consistent look through out your website will encourage your potential buyers to spend more time browsing your site, more time can equate to more sales!

Choose your color scheme wisely. Colors can play a major role in what emotions a person evokes when viewing your site. Put some thought into the actual meaning of the colors. If you need a little help with that please visit: http://dutchboy.com/colors/choose/meaning/meaning/

Simple Design

Consider your first impression when you visit a website. When you, yourself, are surfing the web how long does a site have to make an impression on you. Chances are it is merely seconds. You also need to consider your potential customers are likely to have the same tendencies as you have.

With mere seconds to capture your audience you have to make that impression count! Animated backgrounds, flashing images and music are usually an immediate turn off.

Keep the design consistent on every page of your site. This also means using the same design on all pages of the site. Keeping the navigation in the same location and format will aid customers in moving through your site with ease. In the end this will leave the customer with a feeling of comfort, knowing exactly where they need to go.

Professional, Easy to Read Font

One of the most common mistakes I see is misuse of fonts. You need an easy to read consistent font on your site. Consider sticking to the most common fonts such as Arial, Verdana and Tahoma. Although they may not be as “stylish” as you would like they do server a purpose. Nearly every computer contains those fonts and you can take comfort in knowing the customer is seeing the site as you intended. Keeping with the same concept a consistent color is also an important consideration.

Following these basic tips will get your website well on it’s way to running like a professional, well oiled machine.

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