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Have you already established a presence on the web for your anti-crime organization? Congratulations! Here are a 10 easy ways to improve your existing site and retain visitors.
1. STOP THE MUSIC! Many of your guests are surfing the web at work, or are doing something else while looking at your site. An uninvited concert is a quick way to send them clicking for the back button or worse yet—the “Close” button. Music and audio should be an option for your guest, not forced on them. This might be the most important change you can make today! Go do it now!
2. USE A COMMON NAVIGATION. Menus that are in a different place throughout your site, in a different order, or don’t include the same links on every page are confusing. Create ONE navigation for your entire site and put it in the same spot on every page.
3. FIRST THINGS FIRST. Your most important information should be placed “above the fold.” That is, above the area of your site which can be read without scrolling (usually the top half of your site). Just like in a newspaper, the information after the fold is less likely to be read. read more…
One of the benefits of our websites is the ease and simplicity with which you can update it yourself. You do not need to know any HTML or other types of code. If you can write an email or use Word, you can update your website yourself. Here is a quick video showing you how to update your website using our easy system.
doneSo often when I talk with clients about to get a new website, they are confused about what it takes to start. Just this week, a client said to me, “I had a friend tell me I needed to find a server and get a domain, but I don’t know what any of that is or how to do that.” Here is a simple illustration of the four basic components of every website.
- Like a house, your website needs land to sit on. This “land” is called hosting. A host gives you the space on the internet to store the files that will be your website. Your space and files are stored on that company’s server (a heavy duty computer). Most often, a host will also sell you a domain, too. We recommend GoDaddy hosting.
- Your domain (www.yourwebsite.com) is like your street address. It tells people where to find your house.
- Your website IS your house. It’s where you invite your friends to come visit. A good website is just like a house. It will encourage your guests to stay a while and talk with you.
- And of course, your mailbox. Email is like your mailbox. Your email should match your domain, just like your mailing address matches your street address. You@yourwebsite.com is better than using You@someothersite.com.
If you do not already have hosting, we can set up your hosting account with our recommended provider, GoDaddy.com. A basic hosting package is $75 a year, and includes your domain, hosting, matching email accounts, and more. If you plan to accept payments directly on your site (rather than through a simple PayPal link), you will also need a SSL Certificate (approx. $35 a year). This ensures that all payment information transmitted is kept secure.
New to WordPress? Meet your Dashboard. The Dashboard is the control center of your website. From here you can create new posts and articles, moderate comments, check your stats, add video and pictures and so much more! This quick video will introduce you to the WordPress Dashboard.
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