Your Web site can be one of your greatest marketing tools if it's properly planned.

When planning your Web site there are two very important facts to keep in mind.

• Most users are searching for a piece of information and will filter out just about everything else.
• Most users do not start reading when they open a page. They quickly scan the page, ignoring visuals, to see if the information they are seeking is there and they will quickly leave if the information is not immediately noticeable.

What to do when creating a Web site

• Determine the purpose of the Web site
• Have a clear objective and target audience
• Determine the geographic area and demographics of the target audience
• Determine if you want to promote your name or your product/service.
• Select a relatively short and simple Web site address/URL that is easy to remember.
• Design the Web site to meet the needs of your audience
• Make a list of everything you want your Web site to accomplish
• Organize your list into an outline
• Create a pleasing, easy to read and friendly header and layout which are the same for each page
• The header must leave as much room as possible above the fold for content
• Show page title immediately
• Show substantial text content in 5 seconds or less
• Place the call to action above the fold
• Create clear, easy and consistent navigation using text links
• Place navigation above the fold
• External links should show the URL and describe what will be found there
• Create current quality content
• Keep the content area narrow for easy reading
• Provide adequate contrast between text and background for easy reading
• Use standard fonts, colors and sizes for easy reading
• Images are useful only if they contribute to the content
• Provide descriptions for all images
• Keep image file sizes small
• Provide contact information and include the Web site URL on every page
• Allow the user to select window size for any display
• Check all spelling, punctuation and grammar
• Verify all external links
• Offer something which will encourage visitors to come back
• Design must display well in all browsers on all operating systems
• Provide access for users with disabilities as this will increase audience reach, make the Web site search engine friendly and provide a better experience for all users.
• Create a title, description and key words for each page
• The Internet is a collection of communities with interactive relationships. Determine your community and research related links to create relationships within your community

What NOT to do when creating a Web site

• Do not use frames
• Do not use Java Script
• Do not create 'under-construction' pages
• Do not use flash, music, animation, video, pop-ups or drop downs. If flash, music, animation or video is needed, make it a user selectable link
• Do not put an entrance page in front of your home page
• Do not use scrolling text
• Do not create complex forms
• Do not use large images. If larger image is needed, make it a user selectable link
• Do not use millions of colors. Many browsers will only display 256 colors and millions of colors will not always display as intended
• Do not use unnecessary images. A picture may be worth a thousand words, but only if it contributes to the purpose of the content
• Do not use image maps
• Do not use busy backgrounds