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ray mitchell • sixfourweb.com • @sixfourweb
About Me● Designer / Developer / Consultant
at SixFour Web Design● SixFour Web Design specializes in
helping Small Businesses and Non-Profits maximize their web presence
● We believe “Even Small Businesses Deserve a Nice Website”
What I'm Going To Talk About
● Websites● Business● Websites for Business● Why WordPress Is The Best Thing Since Sliced
Bread (“Submit and be assimilated”)
● Tips and Tools
A Familiar Conversation
● Working with start-up's, non-profit's and first time website owners, there's a conversation tend to I have quite often...
Why Is This So Hard?
Confusion comes from two places– Not understanding the website's objective or
purpose, and
– Not knowing what functionality is needed, or the vast universe of possibilities available
What Is The Objective Or Purpose?
● So, What Does Every Good Business Website Have In Common?(this includes non-profit & charity sites too)
What Is The Objective Or Purpose?
● So, What Does Every Good Business Website Have In Common?(this includes non-profit & charity sites too)
THEY SELL SOMETHING!
What Is The Objective Or Purpose?
● Regardless of price, every effective business website is selling something
What Do Websites Sell?
● Tangible Items– Sell Bicycles
– Sell Books
– Sell Knitted Frog Cozies
● Intangible Items– Sell Ideas & Opinions
– Sell Political Ideology
– Sell Community
● Things In-between– Sell Information
What Is The Objective Or Purpose?
● Regardless of price, every effective business website is selling something
● The key to having an effective business website is using the right kind of site to make the “sale”
The Power of WordPress
Alternate Title:WordPress: Time to Drink the Kool-Aid
Alternate Title #2:WordPress: It's Big Word Time
● u·biq·ui·tous – adjective Present, or found everywhere
● ex·ten·si·ble – adjective Able to be extended; extendable
● scal·abil·i·ty – noun The ability to be expanded as needed
Dealing With The “Haters”
● Myth – WordPress is just for Blogs. I need a website
● Myth – WordPress is not secure or safe for Large Businesses
● Myth – WordPress is slow and can't handle a lot of traffic
● Myth – WordPress is too hard to use
Mitchell's Field Guide to Websites
● There are millions of websites, but they fall into a few big categories
● The categories are not exclusive; some sites may include features from two or more categories
● Remember, business websites that have a clearly defined purpose have a higher chance of success
● Blog● Brochure● Landing Page● Directory● Social/Community Site● E-Commerce
Common Website Families*
*Web Design ain't Westminster – mixed breeds are allowed
Blog
● Main Function:
Communicate Experience or Expertise
● What It Sells:
Information and Vicarious Experiences
● Things to Remember:– Consistency is important
– Focus on your audience and their needs
Blog Plugins/Tools
● Editorial Calendar (wp)● Better Click to Tweet (wp)● Jetpack by WordPress.com (wp)
Brochure
● Main Function:
Promote Product, Service Provider or Cause with the intent of motivating action
● What It Sells:
Confidence in the provider's ability to deliver on what is promised
● Things To Remember– Strong Call to Action– Social Proof can help build confidence
Brochure Plugins/Tools
● Contact Form 7 (wp)● Contact Form 7 Honeypot (wp)● Testimonials Widget (wp)● Facebook Like Box (wp)● Gravity Forms (Rocketgenius)
Landing Page/Sales Page
● Main Function:
Capture Leads or Sales
● What It Sells:
Anything that isn't nailed down
● Things To Remember– A very clear message is important
– Long-form still works, but there are other options
– Expect to A/B Test
Landing Page/Sales Page Plugins
● WordPress Landing Pages (wp)● Gravity Forms (Rocketgenius)
Directory
● Main Function:
Provide Visitors With Information From Listings
● What It Sells:
Information
● Things To Remember– Planning is critical. Think through listing categories,
and strategy for ongoing maintenance
Directory Plugins/Tools
● Business Directory Plugin (wp)● Gravity Forms Directory (wp)
Social/Community
● Main Function:
Provide environment for gathering around common interests
● What It Sells:
Belonging● Things To Remember
– Define User Roles Carefully– Require Strong Passwords– Oversight and moderation take time
Social/Community Plugins
● BuddyPress (wp)● bbPress (wp)● s2Member Framework (wp)● simple:press (simple:press)
E-Commerce
● Main Function:
Process Sales For Physical Or Digital Goods● What It Sells:
Tangible or Intangible Items
● Things To Remember– Planning Categories/Departments is important
– Research your shopping cart carefully and plan for growth
– Accept Credit Cards? PCI Compliance may be an issue
E-Commerce Plugins/Tools
● iThemes Exchange (wp) ● Cart 66 lite (wp)● WooCommerce (wp)● Easy Digital Downloads (wp)● PayPal (paypal.com)● Gravity Forms (Rocketgenius)● Stripe (stripe.com)
Business Website Must Do's
● Make sure that you check your spelling● Make sure that you have a call to action● Make sure that they have a way to get in touch with you● Make sure that you check your links to make sure they work● Make sure that you uncheck the "Discourage Search
Engines" checkbox● Make sure that you set up your analytics software code● Make sure that you back your site up● Make sure that you back your site up!
