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ASAT Productions, Dunstaffnage Mains Farm, Oban, Argyll, Scotland, UK,
PA37 1PZ

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01631 567192

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© Copyright ASAT Productions,
2006

ASAT.biz for professional custom design

Getting Started - Big Website or Small - you need to Plan it

Identity, aims goals, your vision

Even if you are going to look for someone to design your website, it is still YOUR website.

No designer can know your business as intimately as you do. And they will never be able to guess what you want, so the better you can explain your needs, the better chance your designer has of producing the website of your dreams.

If you are just getting started on the web, we can help you to identify the aspect of your company or activities that are unique, then focus your web design and marketing strategy to get this across to your target market. As you will want to ensure that your web site says exactly what you want it to - please visit our planning page for some ideas on where to begin.

The Message

There is no mysterious secret about planning a website. Essentially it is about putting down your ideas logically, and writing your copy in a clear way. Before you put anything on paper at all, you will need to think about what you do that is unique or specific to your business.

Whilst many of you will already have publicity materials that you will wish to make use of on your website, I think it is essential for you to put them to one side and take another look at your business. Because one thing that stands out more than any other on the web is old material. We all need to periodically re-write and update what we say about our business so that it appears fresh and energetic. One of the worst things you can do is bore your visitors... a single click and they can go somewhere else, and they may never come back.

So go back to the beginning again. Remind yourself of your target market, as it may be slightly or totally different on the web than in your physical office or shop. You will probably find that your business and its message have evolved, and that this process is very positive psychologically for you and well as essential to a great site.

Larger Sites - Specific pages that you may want to include

Just a quick run through of some of the pages that you should consider having on your site, and what to put on them:-

Home page
- include your goals/objectives or mission statement
- list all important services and links on the site
- make sure the title is relevant and clear

Contacts page or About page or BOTH
- ideally with a photo of you and or workforce, bricks and mortar shop
- full address and contact details, bio of you and of the business

Site Map
- site map or site index is recommended for all sites 20 pages or more
- site search on larger sites (over 100 pages)

Terms & Conditions
- privacy policy
- and terms & conditions of sale & service

FAQ
- fabulous opportunity to answer the questions you want answered!

Feedback
- provide a form for questions & feedback

Portfolios, Showroom or Examples page
- portfolio (folio) page so that people can view examples of your work

Links page
- this is one of the best tools for increasing traffic to your site

- Your Aims and Ethics (essential for groups, but also a great opportunity for businesses to tell people you care)

Mini Website

We are deeply concerned that many home based businesses and sole traders still don't have their own website - even though all your customers expect it.

So we are offering to create bespoke "mini" sites to address you needs.

When a Mini-site is the best website for you:-

  • If you have just started business, and simply want to have web presence

  • If your existing business has no particular need for ecommerce or web visibility, but you want your existing clients to find you easily and for up to date details about your business

  • If you want to have a larger website, but you aren't quite ready to do so yet

  • maybe money is short or you don't have the time to plan it properly

  • or you want to leave it until you know exactly what you do want out of your website

  • or you are currently doing some research about what your clients and customers want, and you know it will take time to translate that into a design

  • you are currently planning your website, and would like something bigger than just a holding page
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