Improving the content of your website will build instant credibility.
Your website is your visitor's first impression of you. Make it count. Focus on providing informative content and enticing information about your site theme.
Here are a few tips on making a more professional and credible website:
*Register for your own domain name. This is one of the most important things you can do to bring credibility to your web presence. Sub-domains and free sites are acceptable in the beginning but to stand out and show credibility, your own domain name is a must.
*Update your website often. Encourage visits to your site with a newsletter and/or links from other sites (link partners).
*Include an "About" page that lists your accomplishments, credentials, experiences, etc. Only use related information so your visitor will not be distracted from your site theme. Adding a nice or professional photo cultivates a personal connection with your visitors.
*Visitors are more encouraged to visit and revisit a website that is interactive. It creates the belief that their input is valuable to you. Provide forums so they may connect with others in the same field and use questionnaires to allow sharing of ideas and opinions.
*Apply for memberships to web ethics programs. The following are a few that may assist with your site credibility:
You may want to consider adding one of the following features to your site. By doing so, you are aiding those with disabilities to view your site without barriers.
Bobby Online
Bobby is a comprehensive web accessibility software tool designed to help expose and repair barriers to accessibility and encourage compliance with existing accessibility guidelines.
W3C
"The power of the Web is in its universality. Access by everyone regardless of disability is an essential aspect."
-- Tim Berners-Lee, W3C Director and inventor of the World Wide Web
Building A Better Site & Meeting Award Program Criteria
Each award program has its own set of criteria. Below are some hints on improving your site.
*A fast loading page is very important to keeping visitors. Slow websites lose visitors as they get tired of waiting and move on to another site. Optimizing your graphics, and creating thumbnails, to reduce the size will speed up your website. Assume your visitor’s computers are set to accept minimal colors. Use of a web palette can assist in selecting safe colors. Use jpeg for photos and gif for other images.
*Placement of your logo is important. It is recommended to have your logo in the same location. Usually, the top of the page is best. When using Splash screens or Flash animations before the main page is accessed, provide a "Skip the Introduction" link for your visitors. This will decrease the delay and frustration for users who want information, and they want it without waiting.
*The main page should be welcoming and enticing. It performs as an interesting invitation and should also provide brief information about your site. The index page should always be informative and precise.
*Always check your web pages for spelling and grammatical errors before uploading it to your server. After uploading, ask friends and colleagues to proofread and edit in order to find any errors.
*The most important information should be placed at the top of your site. Your visitors read this information first. If this information does not capture their interest, they are less likely to read down the page.
*Remember to use the proper contrast between the background and the text. Your main text area should be simple in color. Neon colors are distracting and hard on the eyes.
*Making your website easy to navigate helps visitors maneuvering through your site. Visitors can get easily frustrated if they have trouble finding their way around your site. Always be sure the pages have proper navigation and working links. Be consistent in placement of navigational tools and place main page links on every page to provide easier navigation.
*Too many animations can distract and annoy your visitors. The theme and content of your website should stand out and make your visitors want to return to your site.
*Check for broken links on your web pages on a regular basis. This can be done manually or by using a software program.
*Many awards programs require use of ALT tags. If you have experience using ALT tags, adding them to your web page will be to your advantage.
Links to helpful site building tools:
Dynamic Drive
A comprehensive site featuring Java scripts, DHTML scripts, tutorials, and more.
HTML Goodies
Free html tutorials and help, images, color codes and more for the web developer. Featuring tutorials on HTML tags, programming, basics, JavaScript, frames, hex codes and more.
How to use HTML Meta Tags
This tutorial explains how to use HTML meta tags, with links to meta tag generators and builders. From SearchEngineWatch.com, a guide to search engine submission and registration.
Hex Color Codes
This page demonstrates the six-digit hexadecimal representation of color.
Web Building Tips
This is a collection of tips about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other Web development and design issues.
Webmaster Tools Central
Webmaster Tools Central provides a variety of services, from web design to promotion, from html, to flash, Webmaster Tools Central is your one stop internet resource.
