Building a One-page Website

You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your business cards and other marketing collateral materials. You want to include your website address (also called a URL) to build your credibility. However, you're not quite ready to write and design a full website. At the same time, you don't think it's a good idea to distribute your new printed materials showing your website URL and to have only a blank web page waiting for your potential client's inquiries. What to do?

Does this sound familiar? Many entrepreneurs who are starting small businesses find themselves in this position. We suggest that you build a one-page website to use in the interim. Elements to design into your one-page website include:

- Your brand identity graphics. Include your logo and visual vocabulary elements on your website for a consistent look and feel across your materials and to build your brand recognition.

- A short description of your business. This description should be between one paragraph and one page in length when typed into a Microsoft Word document, and it should also be concise. You don't want your one-page website to be a scrolling monstrosity, website visitors will read the content of a shorter page. And, the ultimate goal of your page is for people to read it and learn more about you!

- Your contact information. It's very important to include information about how to get in touch with you ? in case someone stumbles upon your website, becomes interested, and wants to hire you! It will also serve as a great reference for any of your current clients or anyone you meet while networking who loses your business card before they have a chance to call you.

- A testimonial from a client, to enhance your business's credibility. An enthusiastic, signed testimonial by a real person ? you provide a link to their website as "proof" of their existence ? will begin to calm any fears that a potential client may have. This makes even a basic one-page website compelling.

You will see that even a one-page website can bring in new clients and help to convert prospects to clients. And, since having a website is a "must" in today's business world, your marketing package will be up to date as well.

You can use a one-page site as a starting point for a much larger site in a step-by- step manner. Writing one or two web pages at a time and developing a five- to six- page (or more!) site over a period of time is a much less daunting task than developing a full site all at once. Even my 330+ page (and counting!) website started as a one-page site.

The most common excuse that people have for not having a website for their business is that they don't know what to include on it. If you have a hard time writing a single page about your business, try recording yourself talking to a friend or client about your business ? it's often easier to tell someone your story than to stare at a blank page.

Another reason to have a one-page website developed would be to get a jumpstart on building search engine rankings. You can include search engine keyword phrases into the text on the page, and then submit the one-page site to the engine's ranking software. You'll get established in the search engines and will be able to begin building your site's search engine profile and history. This is the beginning of excellent search engine optimization and the first step on the path toward great rankings that will drive many visitors to your site.

A great advantage of having a one-page website is that you can include your URL on your printed materials. You won't have to reprint your cards and collateral when you do launch your full site!

About the Author

Erin Ferree, Founder and Lead Designer of elf design, is a brand identity and graphic design expert. She has been helping small businesses grow with bold, clean and effective logo and marketing material designs for over a decade. elf design offers the comprehensive graphic and web design services of a large agency, with the one- on-one, personalized attention of an independent design specialist. Erin works closely in partnership with her clients to create designs that are visible, credible and memorable ? and that tell their unique business stories in a clear and consistent way. For more information about elf design, please visit: Logo design at http://www.elf-design.com

---

Has Your Design Firm Run Amuck With Your Web Site?

What's happening to good web site design? Somehow we creative... Read More

Top Six Ways To Make Your Visitors To Hate YOU!

We will take a look at why your visitors may... Read More

Integrating Advertising into Your Web Design

If you are going to be placing ads on your... Read More

How to Double Your Online Sales Without Spending Another Dime on Advertising

Learning how to convert visitors to your web site into... Read More

Free Website Design Tips

In this article I will give a few tips of... Read More

Website Checklist

10 Basic Things Your Website Should Have ...__ all short... Read More

How To Improve The Professional Look And Feel Of Your Website

Projecting a professional image is paramount to your website's success.... Read More

Free Website Templates - Top 10 Things You Need to Know

When building your website you might not have a large... Read More

Sell Yourself First...Your Key To More Sales

Selling on the internet is a challenge. There is no... Read More

Website Maintenance: What Does it Take to Manage Your Website?

Every action has a beginning phase where you launch your... Read More

User Experience and Search Engines: If Your Home Page Could Only Talk

Dear web site visitor.I can't tell you how glad I... Read More

HTML - A Website Language Explained - For Over 35s

This is a very perfunctory look at the website code... Read More

Are You A Bill Clinton Webmaster?

One of the most frequent questions I get asked about... Read More

Images: How To Make Them To Load Fast On Your Web Pages?

1. Use .gifs rather than .jpgs. GIFs are smaller in... Read More

Does Your Website Induce Seizures?

QUESTION: We promote our web site in all our... Read More

To Flash, or Not to Flash

When considering whether or not to incorporate Flash into your... Read More

E-covers for Your Niche Market

When creating an e-cover the what's the first thought that... Read More

Website Basics

The Basics You have a flourishing business ? everything is... Read More

Dos and Donts in Web Design - part 1 (design)

Do use a consistent look and feel Your site should... Read More

Website Redesign for Existing Websites

Does your website need a re-design? Here are some questions... Read More

Why Use a Web Design Template?

What is a Website Template?Many smart and savvy businesses are... Read More

Website Sales: Discover 10 Mesmerizing Insider?s Tricks To Ignite Your Sales

Marketing is not an easy skill to acquire.It requires patience... Read More

Are You Driving Away Potential Customers?

When a prospect lands on your website will he or... Read More

Developing An Effective Physical Therapy Web Site

Physical therapists have unique web presence needs. An effective site... Read More

Creating the Perfect Website - A beginners Guide

Are you looking to create the perfect website? A complete... Read More

Seven Habits of Highly Effective Webmasters

A highly effective website will always reflect its highly effective... Read More

Congratulations! You?ve Gotten Visitors To Your Site! Now, Can They Find What Theyre Looking For?

As search engine marketers, we spend an enormous amount of... Read More

Keep Your Navigation Simple!

Navigation must be simple. Since it's the backbone of your... Read More

How to Find Inexpensive Web Design

Web design is a very competitive area and there is... Read More

Three Things You Must Do When Designing and Building Your Small Business Website

If you are going to have a web presence for... Read More

TEN Answers That Turn Your Visitors Into Your Customers

You know... Before purchasing your product a person comes to... Read More

The Top 8 Website Sins Part Two

Sin #5Poor Spelling And GrammarWe all make mistakes when we... Read More

Imitation, The Smartest Form Of Flattery

Unless you are an inventor, most likely you are selling... Read More