Do's and Don'ts of Web Publishing
EnhanceMyMarketing.com's basic Web publishing do's and don'ts, key guidelines for publishing engaging professional Web pages for small business Websites and blogs.
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., Founder of the EmpoweringSites.com Network
Other articles related to this one include Tips for Starting a Small-Business Website and Using Basic HTML to Develop a Small-Business Website.
DO make your site informative and entertaining. Content is still the most important draw to a Website. Keep your writing clean, crisp, and current. Avoid using too much jargon -- unless you also include a glossary.
DON'T make the user have to work at finding things within your Website.
DO use stimulating graphics and images (and DO use the "alt" code; and DO provide a text-only alternative if using many graphics.) And if the image is also serving as a link, do remove the blue (or other link color) border by going into the HTML and adding this code inside your image tag: border="0".
DON'T overuse flashy entrance pages or techniques that overwhelm both visitors and search engines.
DO consider all types of content -- text, audio, and video -- to attract and keep visitors on your site. But don't embed music so that the visitor can't easily turn off the sound.
DON'T use overpowering backgrounds.
DO provide a well-structured format that is easy for visitors to navigate and encourages readability.
DON'T forget to include links forward and backward so visitors don't get lost in your site.
DO provide links to other key areas of your Website as well as links to worthwhile external sites, but don't make any links until you have a strategy for doing so.
DON'T have too many levels of links. Three to four is the maximum. Most visitors will leave your site if they cannot find what they are seeking after just a few clicks/links.
DO use descriptive link menus to make navigation easier.
DON'T use "under construction" signs.
DO provide an email link back to you or the Webmaster of your site. Or, do develop a form so that visitors can use to reach you.
DON'T overuse the command. And do certainly avoid using ALL CAPS, bolding, italics too much.
DO use co lo rs that are pleasing to the eye -- and easy to read -- but don't overuse colors; stick to just one or two colors per page.
DON'T use so many graphics that load time is more than 30 seconds.
DO provide search capabilities of your site, if possible. (There are many free services that will provide the search for you.) And do consider developing a sitemap or "A to Z" page so users can see all your Website's pages on one page.
DON'T use browser-specific terminology.
DO offer a "what's hot" or "what's new" or "latest additions" page.
DON'T have tytpos...typos.
DO spellcheck and/or proofread your pages.
DON'T mislead users.
DO provide a service.
DON'T make people have to hunt to find things.
DO provide information about the last time your page was updated.
DON'T forget to have specific pages developed for each of your target markets.
DO consider putting the URL address on your Web page.
DON'T ignore including the proper meta tags for your Web page -- items your visitors will not use, but the search engines, spiders, and bots will.
DO use keywords strategically in the name of the Web page, title of the Web page, in the meta tags of the Web page, and in the content of the Web page.
DON'T participate in any online gimmicks, redirects, or other tricks that will just confuse your visitors and may be result in penalties from the search engines.
DO keep updating and adding content to your Website -- keep it fresh and relevant and visitors will keep returning.
DON'T copy or use anyone else's content without their permission.
Finally, review terms used in this article in the EnhanceMyMarketing.com: Website Marketing and SEO Glossary.
Web Marketing Guru Dr. Randall S. Hansen, CEO of EmpoweringSites.com
-- a growing network of highly ranked educational and inspirational Websites --
has been empowering people his entire adult life. He is also founder and publisher of
EmpoweringRetreat.com,
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com, and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. Dr. Hansen is also a
published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often quoted in the media and conducts
empowering workshops around the country. Hansen is also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years.
He holds a doctorate in marketing and has been involved in marketing his entire life. Learn more at his personal Website,
RandallSHansen.com.
Check out Dr. Hansen on GooglePlus.
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