Friday, January 6, 2012

How To Choose A Web Design Professional

By Marion Peters


There was a time, when the Internet started to show promise as a trading portal that businesses large and small realized that they need a website if they want to stay in step with the times. Web design became a lucrative profession and many people offered their professional services. These days, the mere ownership of a website is not enough. Consumers have become sophisticated and websites have to be exceptional in order to attract attention.

The great challenge for website owners is to be placed near the top of the list produced by search engines when users enter search criteria. There are often millions of sites that comply with specific search criteria and users are not likely to struggle through thousands of sites. Only those sites near the top of the list have any chance of gaining the attentions of the user.

Many websites fail to produce results because the site has been designed by somebody that simply does not understand the field of marketing. Too many training courses focus on the manipulation of software tools while neglecting the skills that are necessary to effectively convey a message to the consumers. The mastery of a tool does not imply the mastery of a trade.

Very little irritates Internet users more than pages that are difficult to navigate, that contain ambiguous links and that make promises they have no intention to keep. Pages need to designed from the viewpoint of the user. It should be easy to use and all the information should be readily available. A disregard of this vital criterion will simply cause users to disregard the site.

Another important matter to consider is the continued relevance of a site. Users need a reason to visit the site regularly and this can best be achieved by ensuring that the content is updated on a regular basis. When there is a high probability that new information, special offers or new products are available, users will be more likely to bookmark a site for regular visits.

When employing a professional to design a website, it may be better to ensure that it is possible to establish a long term relationship because the site will need regular updating. The expert should be able to provide references and addresses of sites previously designed. Some experience in marketing and excellent writing skills will also serve as a recommendation.

There can be little doubt that web design continues to be a lucrative career, but employers should beware of designers that have no skills other than the use of the software tools. Those companies that integrate their web presence with their overall marketing strategies often enjoy better results.




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