At the end of September 2004, total Internet subscribers in Australia numbered over 5.7 million (source ABS).

Subsequently a web site has the ability to communicate to a wider group of people than ever before. It's essential your web site provides more than the 'on-line' brochure.

Your website is a huge opportunity not to be missed.

One of the greatest disappointments with a web site is failure to deliver.

A quick checklist
Start by asking yourself,

• Why would anyone want to come to our website?
• Will they be disappointed once they get there?
• Would they return?

1. Is the original purpose of your website still current?

 Some examples:

• To communicate with existing customers?
• To sell on line?
• To provide an online help facility?
• To find new customers or markets?
• To be part of the revolution?

A strong purpose will lead to a strong site.

2. Is it clear what your website is offering?

• Information
• Online brochures
• Technical product information
• Examples of work done
• Staff profiles
• Access to product or services

3. Has the profile of your potential visitors changed?

•  Do you know who visits your website?
•  Do you know how they use your website?

TIP: Webstats are an amazing source of information

4. Is the information current and relevant?

• Are all the original sections still relevant?
• Has the information been updated regularly?

5. Is you site navigation optimal?

• Has you site grown organically, lost it's structure and become hard to navigate
  Is it easy to access information

TIP: It should take no more than three clicks to access the information required

6. Does the homepage reflect changes that have occurred?

• Any returning visitor will see nothing has changed and assume it never changes. Think of the home page as a News Page. Include information on where the company is exhibiting, latest product information and awards won. Have a separate page with company registration details.

7. Update your FAQ page

• Properly used, the Frequently Asked Questions Page is a huge opportunity to save your team time repeating the same answers to repeated questions, as well as a great place to convey sales messages.

When you consider that today your website is the face of your organisation, does it reflect what you want people to think about your organisation?

If you would like some assistance in reviewing your website and make it work harder for you contact Izabella.