OK, why should I even bother with a web site? Simple, your competition has one. It is expected that any business, large or small, has a web site. Presence on the Internet creates credibility for your business and drives customers to your business.
First things first. Your company's web site is not about you. It's about your potential customer. Remember WIIFM; "What's In It For Me", that is all the customer cares about. Your web site has two primary goals
Tell others about your business
Drive customers to your business
Nothing else matters. . . period! Let's get started
Basic outline of your web site does not have to be large or complex. Here is a simple outline:
Home Page – This is the front window to your business; Your customer's first impression of you and your business. Briefly explain why you are qualified to build custom golf clubs, and why your business is unique and better than the competition. Tell them exactly how you'll meet their needs right here, right now.
Services Page – Describe the services you offer and how you are better than the competition. There is much debate as to whether to list prices. Remember, one of the objectives of your web site is to drive customers to you. Not listing prices may drive a potential customer to contact you.
About You Page – This is the only place to talk about you. Keep it simple and brief; years of experience, specialized training, member of the International Clubmakers Guild, etc. No one cares about the family pet Patches and how he sleeps in the shop. Remember WIIFM
Contact Page – Include basic information such as phone number, fax number, email, directions to your business and hours of operation. To drive customers to your business, create a form for the reader to fill out and submit to you and offer something in return.
Information you want from the potential customer (not all inclusive)
Name
Address
Phone Number
Gender
Handicap/Average Score
How often does he/she play
What area of his/her game does he need assistance
After the customer submits the form, you can generate an automatic response with an offer of either a discount on a custom fitting, coupon for a complementary sleeve of balls, or a PDF file describing 12 myths to custom clubfitting. Remember, the idea of your web site is to drive customers to your business.
Even as a small operator, on the vast billboard called the internet, you can look like the big boys. Here are a few technical details to consider.
Do's and Don'ts of your web presence
Do keep the structure of your web pages consistent throughout your website.
Do use standard design styles for your navigation.
Do make your web pages viewable at 800 x 600 resolution
Do keep your web pages under 60k in size.
Do keep script to a minimum
Do keep your web presence fresh, update it often
Don't have web links that direct your customer away from your site
Don't use background music!
Don't use Internet Explorer's scrolling 'marquee' tag
Don't create automatic pop-up windows!
Don't automatically resize a visitor's browser window
Don't center everything on your web pages
Don't rely on JavaScript to work on your pages
Don't use page counters or blinking text
Don't force people to download a new browser or special plug-in to see your site
Don't use busy backgrounds on your pages
Don't set your type to all capital letters in your body text
Don't have more than a few words in italics
There is near infinite amount of information about web page design on the internet. If there is one single bit of advice, unless you are a professional web designer, hire someone to design your site and host it for you. A professionally looking web site will drive business to your front door.
