Welcome to Stage 2 in the web site building process.

 

Now comes the fun part... content.

 

What makes a good web site?

 

A balance of good content [text and graphics] combined with quick loading web pages.

 

The best content is your own knowledge of the products and services you are offering.  Avoid sales talk.  Internet shoppers make judgements based on what they "read" about your products and company, not the site appearance.

 

Use graphics sparingly, a surfer-hate is slow loading pages.  Target the industry standard [100K] per page including graphics.  Consider the purpose of each graphic and how it contributes to the viewing experience?

 

Stage 2 requirements

 

The site structure is complete and ready for content population.  It is highly recommended to commence populating the "standard" web pages first.

 

Standard pages:

• Home page [index page] - One of the most important pages as it welcomes visitors to the web site and provides an overview of what the web site has to offer.
• About us - Information about the company, history, statements, profile, staff.
• Contact information - Detailed contact information
• Privacy policy - How 'personal information' is handled and stored.
• Acceptable use - Web site terms and conditions.

Products and services

• Products
• Services

Associated pages

Additional pages may need to be added and populated with content. Content and graphics are added page by page to the base structure.

• FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
• Links - The best way of improving search engine ranking plus helping your readers.
• Trading terms
• Order form and thank you
• Newsletter
• What's new
• Site map

Content

The quickest route to a polished professional web presence is "content".  All page content and graphics are required prior to the population of the web site.

 

One of the most important decisions is "Content Display" best made when all of the content is complete.  If there are numerous products and services, a "shop" or "service" entrance page may be required to assist visitors. 

 

Start with a blank piece of paper [use Word or Notepad] for each page of the entire web site.

 

Add descriptive content and pictures to each page.  The amount of descriptive text will help decide how the content should be displayed.  It may require a page for each product/service or they may be grouped together.

 

It takes considerable time and patience writing content for web pages.  Well-worded, spell-checked text for each product and service, the company and any other information needed to entice visitors.

 

A minimum of ONE full page of content should be devoted to every web page.

 

How to add content?

 

Content may be added directly to each page using the Ripesite Control Panel. Alternatively, the content may be forwarded by email attachment for a design consultant to add on your behalf.

Required for each page:

• Page title
• Page text
• Graphic/s - include placement instructions at the bottom of page.

Notes:
Visitors are welcomed via the home page, and guided through the web site with a logical navigation system. Remember visitors to your web site cannot see you!

Help visitors by explaining in detail, products, services, location, experience and advantages.

 

End every page with a closing comment that provides additional information relative to that page. For example, a 'product page' should close with details how to purchase the item, or a link to where they can find more information.

Keep in mind, graphics significantly slow page loading time.

Meta tags are hidden code behind the page that assists search engines to correctly index each page. The best listings and ranking is achieved by ensuring each tag is 100% accurate.

 

Copyright

 

By default, all graphics, photographs, drawings and text on the internet are protected by copyright, even if there is no disclosure.  Treat other web site content in the way you would like people to treat your content.

 

The best graphics to use are pictures you have taken or drawn yourself.  Digital camera's are economical and easy to use, producing excellent quality, original pictures.  This alone can make your web site standout in a very crowded marketplace > originality.

 

Alternately, you may purchase graphics or seek permission to use graphics located from other web sites.  Often, a referral and hyperlink to the original web site is all the owner requires, while other site owners blankly refuse permission to use any content.

 

Copyright FAQ - http://www.rightsforartists.com

 

Graphics

 

Each Ripesite has it's own graphic library where graphics and larger files maybe uploaded for use in the web pages.

 

Original graphics requiring modification should be sent via email attachment to Ripefruit.  Please name each file in lowercase text, no spaces, no characters other than "underscore".

 

companyname_description_001.jpg or companyname_description_001.gif

 

Example: ripefruit_logotoppage_001.jpg

 

Graphics that are ready for use should be uploaded direct to the site library using the same naming format.  Files should be no larger than 500K.

 

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End of Stage 2

Copyright Ripefruit IT