When you have a new website designed and built, you might think that the content isn’t as important as other aspects, such as the design, look and feel of the website. These tend to be the first things we notice when we click onto a website and as such, it’s easy to end up ignoring content.

You should be careful to avoid doing this, not least because your content is really important for SEO. If your content isn’t deemed to be relevant and informative by search engines, it will be much harder for people to find your website using organic search. Your content has to be right.

It’s also much harder to convert people, as they will want to know about your business and services. Good content tells them what they need to know and convinces them to use you, as opposed to your competitors. Make it simple, snappy and tailored to your audience.

The site map details how a website will be laid out, giving details of all the pages and how they will feature in the navigation. If you are going to have a website that you want to be informative, searchable and optimised, then the site map has to be right. It has to create the ideal user experience, so that people can find the information they are looking for without any effort.

When planning your site map, think carefully about the information that you want to be on your website. This can then be broken down into pages, so you can work out how the information will be presented. You can then also think about other pages that you might want to include, like an ‘about us’ page and the all-important homepage. Within your site map, lay out the URL structure so that you know how everything is going to be classified.

Most businesses know that a website is the cornerstone of their marketing. However, it has to be a good website – or it could do much more harm than good. This is why you should never choose a cheap website, and if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

A cheap website will look just that – cheap. It is quite obvious to see when you have used templates, or when you have built a website yourself using some kind of DIY software. This is never the route to go down if you want people to trust in your business and your products. You need to look like you are willing to invest in your own business, otherwise why should people trust you in the first place?

A website that looks great and works well will attract attention, and people will keep using it because they can find what they are looking for.

A website has the potential to help your business in ways you might not even have considered. If you don’t currently have a website, here are some of the ways it can help you:

• Secure your brand. You will be represented online and people looking for you will be able to find you.
• Get more customers. People can buy your products online via an eCommerce shop, or send you enquiries about your products or services.
• Be found in search engines. A website that is searchable will show up in Google.
• Show your personality. It doesn’t just have to be information – a good website can show your brand off and make people aware of what you are all about.

Remember, this is what a good website can do. It needs to be high quality and tailored to you in order to perform well. Speak to a quality design agency to get a website that meets your needs.

If you make the decision to move web design agencies, you are not alone. People make the move all the time if they feel like they are not getting the value for money and service they require. It may also be based on results, and people feeling like they are not getting enough out of their relationship with their agency.

Think carefully before you move at the same time. It’s not a decision to be taken lightly, as web design and web marketing services do not come cheaply. You would not want to be in a position where you are moving to another agency and you are even more dissatisfied.

Take the time to talk to your chosen agency. Do they sound knowledgeable? Are they experienced? Also check your contract with your current agency. Understand whether they own your website and content and if it is on a bespoke system.