6 Great Tips - an overview

1) Firstly, take your time

Develop a good understanding of what you want your website to do. Then take a look at the competition. Do a search on Google and find out what other websites are doing.

Remember that some of these sites will be years old and well developed. Others will be new to the market and a bit rickety looking. Either way, write down their features and make a note of layouts that appeal to you.

2) Use the Internet yourself

Understand how the Internet works by using it - alot. Have a full understanding of your own business and what it is trying to achieve.

3) Start in a small way

Be committed - get everyone involved. Decide now how much resource you can or are prepared to put into it. In terms of financial costs, manpower costs and your own personal time. How many hours a week do you want to spend developing your website?

4) Expect your website to be a cost centre

See your website more as an investment for the future. Like printing catalogues or company brochures. I am not suggesting your site is developed with this in mind, only that your website will cost money - up front. Be prepared for it and have a set budget in mind.

5) Understand your audience

The profile of your best online prospect is the same as the profile of your best customers. If you can pick out your best customers and identify a profile, these then are also the people you should be aiming for online.

6) Keep an eye on your competition

Keep watching the websites from your real competitors, the companies in the same town or local area that offer the same or similar products/services as you do. What standard are your real world competitors offering on the web? How easy will it be to compete with them online?

Watch prices online too from a basket of websites. How do your prices compare to other online suppliers or businesses?