Sites
That’s a pretty good question, isn’t it? And when we take a spin through the internet it’s clear that for basically any topic there is a website offering an opportunity for further investigation. As we say at SPL, whether it’s for your business, hobby, or passion the web has a place for you. And your website is the DESTINATION you’ve created for YOUR (clients, fans, audience, friends, family, cronies, admirers… oh, yeah, and target market too!).
It seems almost a no-brainer, but the first impression a visitor has to your site will be how inviting it is visually. Your message is subconsciously embedded in that first impression, and people will either look deeper or click away based on that first impression just like they’re switching channels on a television. It’s just modern media human nature. So, certain things speak well before one word is read:
- Graphics
- Photos
- Colors
Your message will come through these before one word is read. It’s important to keep this in mind so that these elements are consistent with what you’re trying to convey. For all intents and purposes, your home page is like the lobby of your resort. It should be welcoming to guests for an enjoyable stay.
What channel is this?, to continue with the television analogy, must be answered. On your home page, give your viewers a condensed version of what they’re going to see if they explore your site. Don’t make them wonder what this is all about. Make it clear and concise, and let those who are most interested know they have arrived at the right place. After your viewers have indentified that your site is what they were looking for, their eyes will move in these directions:
- Navigation Bar
- Side Bar
- Buttons
Let these indicate clearly what their destinations are so that maneuverability within the site is welcoming and efficient.
Perhaps the most pleasing difference between the internet and television is that on the internet viewers get to interact with what they’re seeing. They’re not just sitting in front of a box watching where it takes them. Instead, YOUR VIEWERS are navigating where they’re going. This is a huge difference. So, while the analogy of the television does compare to some degree, websites offer the viewer a far more engaging experience than television. And frankly, that’s saying something! While these features are developing each and every day, here are a few interactive features your site can include:
- Video and Audio clips
- Product Demonstration and Purchase Functions
- Visitor Comment/Conversation Forums
- Links to other sites with pertinent information
