Melbourne Website Design Services

Yes, it’s a common question. And one that is usually directed squarely at the web designer by a frustrated client. What is often not well understood is that for a web site to work well there is usually input required from the website owner, the website designer and other specialists in the field of marketing and copywriting. In other words it is a partnership.

Usually when a site owner says their site does not work it means one of the following:

• They are not appearing in search engine results
• They are getting insufficient traffic to their site
• They are getting insufficient enquiries
• They are getting insufficient sales

Here is a snapshot of common reasons why a website does not work.

Not appearing in search engine results

This is a common problem - particularly for new websites. The solution will normally encompass:

• Keyword research
• Content written around the results of the keyword research
• On page optimisation for the selected keywords
• Off page optimisation designed to generate quality inbound links
• Social networking

Typically this may require input from the owner, web designer, copywriter and a specialist Internet Marketer.

Insufficient website traffic

Remember the saying ‘quality rather than quantity’ ? I have come across some site owners who obsess over the number of hits their site gets. But hits don’t buy products and services - customers do.

Having said that however, if you attend to the items in the previous paragraph regarding keyword analysis and search engine optimisation (SEO), not only will your traffic increase, but the resultant visitors to your site will be better qualified.

Insufficient sales or enquiries

Getting customers to your website is one thing, getting them to take an action that will lead to a positive outcome is quite another. Generally the big issues are these:

• Visitors must be able to easily find what they want
• Having found it, the quality of the content presented for their consideration must make them feel compelled to take action.

The first is directly related to structure and navigation. It requires a seamless, logical process flow from the home page to checkout (or enquiry form etc)

The second, relating to the content, is equally important. Does your product image just provide a wide angle view of the whole product, or does it provide a close up of that particular unique feature that sets it apart from its competition?  Does your content simply ‘describe’ the product or service, or does it provide compelling benefits related to its use and the customers application?

Where do I start - what steps should I take?

You can always simply hit the Net and research, research, research. Sometimes though research will still be only part of the answer. In the end the person executing the work must have the required skillset. If time is important and you need a professional result consider taking a shortcut . . .

1. Contact me for a free appraisal of your situation.
2. Depending on the outcome I will be happy to either provide assistance with any web design issues that may arise, or refer you to specialists in other disciplines who I know and trust.