"Skin-deep websites"
(Article by Helen Loveless from Mail on Sunday, 11th October 2009)

"Small firms are losing out because of basic errors on their websites.

 

Research shows that more than 80 per cent of customers find faults on small business websites, ranging from incorrect email addresses and non-existent links to poor design.

 

According to web host Strealine.net, which carried out the research, more than half of company owners said they thought their website looked professional.  But a third admitted to neglecting their site.

 

Almost half failed to many any effort to optimise their web address on search engines such as Google.  Steve Holford, marketing director of Streamline, says 'This shows the real danger that work done by firms can be underlined by basic errors.  If the basics of a website are not sound, customers will be put off'."

 

The entry into a website is not necessarily the home page and it is crucial for visitors to enter on a page which is focussed on the exact subject of their search:  We therefore recommend that search term (keyword) research is carried out prior to design of a website and is used to theme the sections of the website.  Following this practice also has major advantages if firms subsequently proceed to seek website visitors via organic search or via internet advertising (such as pay per click).  

 

Living Streams offers keyword research whether part of its own website system building service or as a complementary service to a client's own website design people or the work of a basic website design company.  Our service includes per keyword analysis of competition for natural ranking and likely price of PPC (per website visit).  

 

We supply a range of affordable website audit services, including spelling and broken links.  In addition, we now offer a rare 'white hat' (i.e. ethical) SEO service where clients only pay for success - with that optional defined in terms of ranking or numbers of website visits.