The 8 best ways you can optimize the productivity of your business website.

1. Write blogs

Writing blogs about topics in your business increases traffic tenfold. More traffic to your business's website means more potential customers. You may be asking yourself, "How does writing blogs increase my traffic?" Well, the answer is that when you write a blog, keywords and phrases in the blog will show up on results on search engines such as Google or Bing. This way people have a much greater chance of seeing your site in the search results and end up navigating straight to your site

2. RSS feed

Have an RSS feed tied in with your site. An RSS feed shows updates and new happenings within your business. When someone subscribes to your site's RSS feed, they will recieve the newest updates in a newletter-type document on their browser readers such as Google Reader. RSS feeds give your customers a more sincere and family-like quality when they visit your site.

3. Credit card/Paypal Capability

Many business websites sell items straight from the site itself. You've seen it before, Amazon, Ebay, Buy.com, etc. To help gain pure profit, add a css form that allows customers to instantly buy items and service from your site with just a click of the mouse. The most common types of payment forms are credit cards, debit careds and paypal. But, you can also incorporate online checks and money orders.

4. Invest in professional web design service

When people visit your site, you don't want them to see an old, outdated piece of junk that looks like it was coded by a 15 year old. To have the most traffic, and eventually the most profit, you want a professionaly created website. There are a lot of companies out there who make very spiffy looking websites. But, there are some that aren't so great. Like someone just making a website for you in a dark basement, you might not really know what you'll get. It could be good quality, it could be bad quality. But, with a professional service you won't have to worry about that, and some companies (like YellowWebMonkey) allow you to add and edit things on your site yourself. That's something you couldn't easily do with your average freelance web designer.

5. Use a high quality logo

Most legitimate businesses have a logo. But to really make your logo effective on your website, there are a few rules to follow. First, make sure your logo is large and easily visible on the main page of your site. Next, use a logo with some color, so it stands out. Don't use a dull black and white or gray logo. Mix it up and make a vibrant logo that represents your company and people can come recognize.

6. Keep things updated

There are two aspects to no. 6. The first is that you want to keep all your events, important dates, etc. Updated and allow them to be easily viewed. Whether that be in an email newsletter, social media integration or even an RSS feed. The second aspect to is keep things updated as far as new technology and applications. When new programs and utilites come out for the internet that help your business site, add them! You'll want to stay ahead of the game so you can prevail over your competition.

7. Socail Media Integration

Let your customers know whats going on with your company by letting them follow you on social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Linked.in, Youtube, etc. When your followers see what's happening with your business they are more likely to have your name in their head. This is good becaue they can easily mention you to their friends and people they know, or even on the social media sites themselves. If you havn't yet integrated social media sites with your business website, do so now. You are missing out.

8. Choose the right types of advertising.

Last but not least is the knowledge of which types of advertising are right for your website. Steer clear of adding just any and every kind of ads on your site. This can hurt your site's credibility. If you do choose to have ads on your site, make sure they go along with your company or what you're trying to sell. Don't just have random ads or distracting blinking "Click Here!" banners. This makes your site look terrible and unprofessional. The types of ads you do want on your site are affiliates you would recommend to your customers, or use yourself. Usually this works both ways and your advertisments will be on sites that you advertise on your own website. Advertising is a great way to bring traffic to your website as long as you advertise the right things.

I hope this has helped some of the small business owners out there improve their website. If you have and questions or comments, feel free to leave them and I will anser them A.S.A.P.

-Brett W.

sources: 

http://www.Google.com/images

http://www.squidoo.com

My Technology Applications class