Websites

It’s difficult to carry on a conversation if you’re not speaking the same language – doable, but difficult. Talking about your website is no exception to this rule.

“Put the thingy beside the doohicky and make them both that same shade of green of those pants I like,” doesn’t exactly bring enough clarity to the request to result in meaningful action.

Computer geeks have developed a language all their own; web geeks have their own dialect of that language. These terms are interesting, fun, and helpful. Here are a few to get you started in the web world:

• Blog – a kind of online journal describing, in somewhat personal terms, the thoughts, feelings, observations, and events effecting the life or the writer
• Post – one blog entry, complete in and of itself while fitting into an ongoing series – composed of written content and images
• Page – a somewhat static expression around a single subject, such as About Us
• Category – a way to group blog posts around themes in order to make them easier to access
• Comment – a reader’s response to a post or, in some cases, a page, which becomes part of the display of a page or post
• Plugin – a discrete bit of software, easily added, which provides specific additional functionality
• Theme – a somewhat interchangeable skin that gives a website a look and feel out of the box, and which can be customized or exchanged
• Content – the most important aspect of any website – the words
• Site Metrics – statistics about site visits, including how visitors arrived at a website, some information about their computer, and what they did while they were engaged with a particular website
• SEO – search engine optimization – methods to make websites findable by search engines, hopefully moving them to the top of particular relevant word searches
• Banner – prime real estate on a web page at or near the top, usually containing an image, logo, tag line, and perhaps advertisements
• Navigation – the way a viewer moves through the pages and posts on a website, finding what they’re looking for via clearly labeled links
• Architecture – how the pages, posts, sidebars, footers, banner, and links are organized on the website to facilitate the kind of interaction that the site owner desires viewers to experience

Well, maybe.

It’s certainly true that the tools for building and maintaining websites are growing friendlier daily, and that they’ve evolved to enable many more people to access the possibility of building their own website than ever before.

It’s also true that there’s more and better support online to help users along the way.

And, it’s also true that because more people are doing the work themselves, the overall quality of websites is declining – so you don’t have to worry about sticking out if your website isn’t the fanciest one on the block.

Finally, because of search engine optimization, you don’t have to have a great website to be found online. That’s nice.

On the other hand, not everyone is ready to take on these tools or interested. The tools require a foundational level of computer knowledge in order to get in the game. Some people just aren’t interested – computers aren’t their thing or they have better things to do.

And, it turns out that quality is an issue. You may be able to attract visitors to your site, but the look, feel, and functionality they find have a lot to do with whether they stay longer than ten seconds. Quality content has a larger effect on whether they respond to your call to action.

As user-friendly as the tools get, there are still difficult spots in the website development process – ones that the tools don’t address well or at all.

And, the help, especially when you get into a pickle, tends to be spotty.

Yes, you may be able to do your own website. Or, you may want to just hire someone else to take it off your hands entirely. In either case, we understand!

What makes The Computer Spirit somewhat unique is the way we work with you. First, we help you make the decision about whether or not to do your website or e-newsletter yourself. Although we would rather help you create your website, we will do it for you. Helping could mean following a roadmap we provide or… getting detailed feedback from us at key points or… getting help when you get stuck or… having us do some pieces of the work or… having a shoulder to cry on when you get lost or frustrated.

Yes, you may be able to do your own website. But really, why would you?

There are many reasons for developing and maintaining your own website. You may want to get noticed by a lot of people or sell a lot of product, or you may just want a place to present yourself in a more detailed or graphic way to those you already know.

A website is a place that draws attention. Search engines actively seek your information to match online viewers looking for what you’re offering to your site. You’ll want to let your community know about your website too. Your website address should be on every piece of marketing material you use.

Once viewers come to your site, you’ll want to hold them there. Valuable content is key. Attractive images and intuitive navigation are critical. (more…)