My Fleep: Internet
Building a One-page Website
You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your
business cards and other marketing collateral materials.
You want to include your website address (also called a
URL) to build your credibility. However, you're not quite
ready to write and design a full website. At the same time,
you don't think it's a good idea to distribute your new
printed materials showing your website URL and to have only
a a blank web page waiting for your potential client's
inquiries. What to do?
Does this sound familiar? Many entrepreneurs who are
starting small businesses find themselves in this position.
We suggest that you build a one-page website to use in the
interim. Elements to design into your one-page website
include:
• Your brand identity graphics. Include your logo and
visual vocabulary elements on your website for a consistent
look and feel across your materials and to build your brand
recognition.
• A short description of your business. This description
should be between one paragraph and one page in length when
typed into a Microsoft Word document, and it should also be
concise. You don't want your one-page website to be a
scrolling monstrosity, website visitors will read the
content of a shorter page. And, the ultimate goal of your
page is for people to read it and learn more about you!
• Your contact information. It's very important to include
information about how to get in touch with you-in case
someone stumbles upon your website, becomes interested, and
wants to hire you! It will also serve as a great reference
for any of your current clients or anyone you meet while
networking who loses your business card before they have a
chance to call you.
• A testimonial from a client, to enhance your business's
credibility. An enthusiastic, signed testimonial by a real
person-you provide a link to their website as "proof" of
their existence-will begin to calm any fears that a
potential client may have. This makes even a basic one-page
website compelling.
You will see that even a one-page website can bring in new
clients and help to convert prospects to clients. And,
since having a website is a "must" in today's business
world, your marketing package will be up to date as well.
You can use a one-page site as a starting point for a much
larger site in a step-by-step manner. Writing one or two
web pages at a time and developing a five- to six-page (or
more!) site over a period of time is a much less daunting
task than developing a full site all at once. Even my 330+
page (and counting!) website started as a one-page site.
The most common excuse that people have for not having a
website for their business is that they don't know what to
include on it. If you have a hard time writing a single
page about your business, try recording yourself talking to
a friend or client about your business-it's often easier to
tell someone your story than to stare at a blank page.
Another reason to have a one-page website developed would
be to get a jumpstart on building search engine rankings.
You can include search engine keyword phrases into the text
on the page, and then submit the one-page site to the
engine's ranking software. You'll get established in the
search engines and will be able to begin building your
site's search engine profile and history. This is the
beginning of excellent search engine optimization and the
first step on the path toward great rankings that will
drive many visitors to your site.
A great advantage of having a one-page website is that you
can include your URL on your printed materials. You won't
have to reprint your cards and collateral when you do
launch your full site!
----------------------------------------------------
Erin Ferree is a brand identity and marketing design
strategist who creates big visibility for small businesses.
Through her customized marketing and brand identity
packages, Erin helps her clients design effective websites
that help them extend their brands, bring in new clients
and make sales. http://www.elf-design.com
You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your
business cards and other marketing collateral materials.
You want to include your website address (also called a
URL) to build your credibility. However, you're not quite
ready to write and design a full website. At the same time,
you don't think it's a good idea to distribute your new
printed materials showing your website URL and to have only
a a blank web page waiting for your potential client's
inquiries. What to do?
Does this sound familiar? Many entrepreneurs who are
starting small businesses find themselves in this position.
We suggest that you build a one-page website to use in the
interim. Elements to design into your one-page website
include:
• Your brand identity graphics. Include your logo and
visual vocabulary elements on your website for a consistent
look and feel across your materials and to build your brand
recognition.
• A short description of your business. This description
should be between one paragraph and one page in length when
typed into a Microsoft Word document, and it should also be
concise. You don't want your one-page website to be a
scrolling monstrosity, website visitors will read the
content of a shorter page. And, the ultimate goal of your
page is for people to read it and learn more about you!
• Your contact information. It's very important to include
information about how to get in touch with you-in case
someone stumbles upon your website, becomes interested, and
wants to hire you! It will also serve as a great reference
for any of your current clients or anyone you meet while
networking who loses your business card before they have a
chance to call you.
• A testimonial from a client, to enhance your business's
credibility. An enthusiastic, signed testimonial by a real
person-you provide a link to their website as "proof" of
their existence-will begin to calm any fears that a
potential client may have. This makes even a basic one-page
website compelling.
You will see that even a one-page website can bring in new
clients and help to convert prospects to clients. And,
since having a website is a "must" in today's business
world, your marketing package will be up to date as well.
You can use a one-page site as a starting point for a much
larger site in a step-by-step manner. Writing one or two
web pages at a time and developing a five- to six-page (or
more!) site over a period of time is a much less daunting
task than developing a full site all at once. Even my 330+
page (and counting!) website started as a one-page site.
The most common excuse that people have for not having a
website for their business is that they don't know what to
include on it. If you have a hard time writing a single
page about your business, try recording yourself talking to
a friend or client about your business-it's often easier to
tell someone your story than to stare at a blank page.
Another reason to have a one-page website developed would
be to get a jumpstart on building search engine rankings.
You can include search engine keyword phrases into the text
on the page, and then submit the one-page site to the
engine's ranking software. You'll get established in the
search engines and will be able to begin building your
site's search engine profile and history. This is the
beginning of excellent search engine optimization and the
first step on the path toward great rankings that will
drive many visitors to your site.
A great advantage of having a one-page website is that you
can include your URL on your printed materials. You won't
have to reprint your cards and collateral when you do
launch your full site!
----------------------------------------------------
Erin Ferree is a brand identity and marketing design
strategist who creates big visibility for small businesses.
Through her customized marketing and brand identity
packages, Erin helps her clients design effective websites
that help them extend their brands, bring in new clients
and make sales. http://www.elf-design.com
