Jan 2, 2012 - Have you checked out your competition lately? Is your web site on par or better than them? What about new rivals or ones from global sources? Are you covered? Here are five topics to consider for maintaining that competitive edge:
1. Are You Mobile?
Smartphones and pad devices are overtaking traditional computers as the number one computer platform. To reach more browsers, your web site needs to support these technologies.
HTML5 – The Flash apps and menus, which run on traditional browsers, will not run on the major smartphones. HTML5/Javascript offer the same features as Flash and more. Media players and graphical features are provided by the web server, so no browser plug-ins are required. To learn more about HTML5, see our article “Embracing HTML5”.
CSS 3 – Around the same time as HTML5, came another updated standard called CSS 3 (Cascading Style Sheets). Think of style sheets as a template for your web site. In its simplest form, consider altering the font type for everything on your web site with a single change versus modifying every font element. On larger web sites, this task can be daunting.
2. Single Sign-on Support?
A personalized web experience is a requirement for many web sites, especially social networking and e-Commerce. Rather than create your own security credentials for each user and have them sign-up for your web site, use the “federated credentials” and APIs available from sources like Google, Facebook, Linked In and Twitter.
Users have already signed up with these services, so why make your users sign-up again on your web site? The streamlined process makes the user experience a snap. In addition, there are advanced tools with Facebook and others for tracking your site’s usage with their accounts.
3. Do You Leverage Internet Marketing Techniques?
Social Networking – While sites like Facebook are a good place to market your products or services, you can also send ads that target specific demographics based on Facebook user profiles.
SEO – Search Engine Optimization techniques along with HTML5 can improve your ranking in search engines, which is one way that customers can find your business.
User Customization - Points programs, coupons, etc. can be easily tracked on web sites for each user. Use these features and others to attract and reward your web visitors.
4. Clean and Updated Web Design?
Every web site is different, but the best ones will attract the most users and the best ones have a few things in common:
Simplicity in Design – A busy web site may confuse visitors and they will miss important information. You may want a busy site, especially ones for kids. If this is not your goal, then remove anything that detracts from the overall focus.
Interactive Elements – Users are becoming more sophisticated. If you have an object to click on, provide information about it. Tell the user where they are going, before they click. Or give them options, when they click.
Mobile Devices – besides HTML5/Javascript support, consider features like finger-based interfaces. If a button is smaller than a finger tip, you may wish to change how users interact with it.
Web 2.0/3.0 Apps – Blogs, social networking integration, Wikipedia integration, Maps, mobile GPS, etc. Integrate tools and technology from external sources to add value to your web site.
5. Do You Know What Your Customers Are Doing?
Your web site is a tool that can provide feedback. How do you know if you are getting increased web traffic from the changes you have made? What if customers or clients are leaving your web site, because something is not working? Web Analytics and Reporting are essential to know how your site is performing.
Many analytics are free, so there is little cost or reason to not use them. Some include Yahoo! Web Analytics, eLogic, Web Trends, Flurry and Google Analytics.
At Amicus, our job is to make you more competitive and to improve your business. Incorporating proven technologies that add value is what makes us a top provider of web and software development services.