When hiring someone to create your web site, have them show you at least two other sites that they have created.

If a web designer asks for a payment up front, make sure they give you a commitment in writing.

Make sure that a prospective web designer has your goals and needs in mind before they start a design.

Approve a rough draft of your sitebefore construction begins.

Don't just get a web site - Get a web site that supports your business.

Decide the purpose of the site before you dive in. If you need help, we are always happy to help.

Marketing experts agree that a customer may see your ad 3 to 7 times before they buy. Offer information or services on your site that bring customers back repeatedly. This greatly increases the chance that they will buy from you. It also builds trust if you provide the right information.

If you expect to sell things to pay for your web site, expect to spend marketing dollars to drive traffic to your site.

Your web site can be your best selling tool. The cost to update a web site is considerably lower than revising or rerunning printed media.

Graphics enhance the appearance and improve communication on web pages. Large and poorly optimized graphics are the single biggest obstacle to getting information to customers.

If it takes longer than 22 seconds to view your web page, most people give up and go somewhere else.

Establish a consistent look that will be used throughout the site. Once those graphics are loaded, the web browser will remember it and the rest of the site will load faster.

Put the address for your web site on every piece of paper that leaves your business. (Our friends at Ace Rubber Stamps & Engraving (520) 622-1962 can even make you a 3-line self-inking rubber stamp - for $15 if you mention Focus Web Works).

Always carry your business cards. When someone asks for something to write on, give them a card.

Always put a link to your web site's home page on every page.

Send out a press release any chance you get. Include your web site's address in the press release.

Make sure that any web site that lists your business includes a link to your web site. Search engines now rank sites based in-part on how many sites link to yours.

Offering some form of a money-back guarantee is a good way to reduce purchasing risk. A customer is more likely to relate a bad story about a business than to describe how great your service is.

Provide endorsements or customer testimonial letters. Tell them why your business is great.

Give the customer a reason to buy NOW. Let them know that supplies/services are limited and they need to act. Give them something if they act now.

Customers shop online for convenience. Deliver the goods as soon as possible. Make sure you tell them how long it will take to ship.