The four Web Site Building Blocks

#1 - Web Site Design - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO is the foundation of Internet "Findability", actually attracting users to your site.

  • Site Design is based on how Search Engines operate to gain maximum keyword relevance.
    • Keyword researched based on site goals.
    • Use of researched search key words embedded into the site links and page titles.
    • Non blocking text URLs.
    • Use of key word embedded content.
    • Use of Text under Java Scripting when beneficial
    • Design using CSS to separate Data from Display.
    • Strict compliance to W3C standards which also helps cross browser compatibility.

Fire Up designs sites for search indexing - for Search Engines accurate indexing all he pages of the site. A site designed by Fire Up will rank high in local searches.

#2 - Content

Content is the sum total of your data. It includes your text files, media and graphics.

  • It is the reason why people will come to your site. Users go to sites for content not looks.
  • It is not something that a web or graphics designer can generate; it comes from you, the site owner.
  • Content should not be "old" and should be renewed with a frequency high enough to stimulate return users.
  • Content should be built at the page level with pre-researched and known specific keywords embedded into the content.
  • WARNING!! It can not be stressed enough to really plan out your content. The tendency is spend most of your time with the looks of the site. Do you think people use Yahoo because it looks so good?

SEO gets the users to your site, your content makes sure they come back for more. Imagine video serving sites without new videos every day.

#3 - Display

Display is the "look and feel" of your site.

Sites designed for only a visual impact should be for people in the visual business. Goals should drive the look of a site, not personal tastes. Cool and Trendy get old very fast and will not attract users unless changed frequently.

The Display Look and feel should be designed to:

  • Aid the site layout.
  • Use concepts of "flow" and "space".
  • Convey the "feel" of the site consistent with targeted users expectations and site message.
  • Convey the message of the business.
  • Should subdue or release the emotions intended for the site.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then what 1000 words do you want your display to say to your users?

#4 - Layout

The layout is what controls the struggle between user Frustration and Satisfaction.

  • Layout is the "flow" of the site; how pages are grouped by subject and navigation ranking.
  • Layout should not make the user think where to find the desired content.
  • Designed for a novice to the sites subject matter.
  • Wording should not assume subject matter knowledge.

    • If everything else is working, the SEO, Content and Display, user satisfaction is controlled by the layout.

    Layout should be tested for honest user feedback - even if by friends.