Parramatta, NSW -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/06/2010 -- As Internet rules the roost in promoting a business today, most entrepreneurs first create a website to seek online success. However, with no firm website strategies in place, success through online means becomes a distant dream. In short, a website developed with no objective or content management is just like an aimless ship wandering helplessly in the deep sea.

All entrepreneurs should ask one important question before embarking into the online world: why create a website? — Is it for promotions, awareness, sales leads, or simply generating traffic and revenue for the company?

Secondly, how much effort would go in creating the website? This should include the cost, time, man-power, etc. Would it just remain an online brochure or would it be developed for a definite purpose.

Some key answers why websites are developed, which most users would agree, are as follows:

Generate traffic – quality traffic and potential customers

Generate sells
- Help in providing customer service punctually and effectively
- Build a brand image and identity
- Reach out to customers available globally and at remote corners
- Subsequently, the reason identified through this endeavor should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

Necessary Factors

There are some salient factors which need to be identified for online success. For instance, the target audience or traffic is vital for the survival of a website. Then, the presentation of the website content, design, graphics etc too have an impact in building a website. The mode of communication with the end-users, potential partners, and curious surfers also matter in developing a website.

The next factor is the tone and message for the surfers. The message should be loud and clear. However, if the reader finds out that he is being coaxed or nagged, he could get irritated. The best way to deal with this factor is to write the key benefits in a way that entices and enchants the reader.

The message should not be passive but entail action. When surfers are motivated to act on the content, the results are remarkable. The tone should be lucid, friendly, and approachable too. It would be a grave mistake if the surfer cannot access the site for clarifying doubts or queries.

The Strategy – Much Needed Tool for Online Success

The strategy taken by the webmasters to ensure that the objectives are met must be planned, researched, and taken sensibly. Should the site be just an informative site, interactive one, or highly interactive one that includes all processes of transaction?

For instance, if the site is all about a mall that has shops selling goods for the home and kitchen, it can well be an e-commerce site. However, a website of a steel plant should ideally showcase the benefits and knowledge about the company and steel they create, rather than have an online purchase system installed in it.

There are sites which need “chat boxes” or video clips to boost customer reaction while there are site which should be passively informative.

Optimizing the Website

One basic strategy which is needed by all websites is to optimize the site for higher ranking in search engines. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the key to online success and all websites should be designed primarily to ensure that the site is appealing and attractive to get listed in one of the top ten slots in the search engines.

Once the basic strategy is identified, the website needs to be polished and subsequently, optimized for search engine spiders.

Planning the Marketing Technique

When developing a marketing plan or a website marketing strategy, one should ideally think about the product and service that the company is selling. The entire gamut includes the operation, delivery, and customer satisfaction.

The activities, such as promotional schemes, traffic influx, transactions, should be determined properly so that cost incurred through the process can be identified. Does this cost give a better Revenue of Investment (ROI)? If yes, then the strategy is on the right track.

Few things can be done at the designing stage of the website. It also does not cost much to follow some basic tips for online success. For instance, webmasters should make sure that the website is easily navigable, accessible, and user-friendly. In other words, when users find that the cognitive load is less, they are more attracted to the website. It also follows that when the usability issues are successfully implemented, the website becomes popular and accessed by most people.

Analyzing the Benefits of Website Strategy

The advantages of a correct website strategy are immense. For instance, a successful strategy would boost online branding, awareness, and sales. In fact, the cost is also minimal compared to the influx of quality traffic that comes to the site.

The websites with better functionality can be far more popular. For instance, site search options, online registrations, interactive features, videos, etc can help users find what they are searching for, easily. If the site is a portal with huge chunks of information, it is good to spend some more money. With some extra cost – if it is feasible – websites can have content management system (CMS), Pay-per-Click (PPC) campaigns, efficient hosting facilities, effective domain names, and apt customer service.

Lastly, a website that is promptly updated on a regular basis, kept spic-n-span without any factual or grammatical errors, and caters the need to the surfer, is sure to succeed online. With these basic tips and a firm strategy firm in place, a website would succeed online well and truly.