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26 Steps To a Successful Website

“Follow these 26 easy steps to create an Award Winning Direct Response Website”

This worksheet will assist in defining your goals and vision for your site.

It will also provide some insight into your individual taste and style.

To ensure that you are aware of the many options available for your site
To help us get a good idea of your vision for the site
To ensure we design your Web site to meet or exceed your needs
To enable us to provide an accurate quote

Please put a lot of thought into answering the questions for our mutual benefit

STEP 1: Register your new domain name. The fun part!

The first step in a web design project is registering your domain name. If you already have a domain name, we will need you to update your nameservers to point to our web host. If you already have a domain name, please email us your 1.) domain registrar URL 2.) user name 3.) password and we will set your DNS settings up for you.

STEP 2: Okay let’s talk specifics about your business model

What is the purpose of your Web site?

PLEASE BE VERBOSE AND TELL US EXACTLY WHAT THE PURPOSE OF YOUR WEBSITE IS IN THIS SECTION

Factors to consider:

• What do you hope to achieve with it?
• What are your goals?
• Is your purpose to attract a larger audience through search engines?
• Or to provide information to your current customer base?

STEP 3: Competitor Research!

Find your top 3 competitors. Goto Google.com and locate your top 3 top competitors websites. Now, get their meta tags. What are meta tags!? We’re glad you asked! Meta tags are information found in the header of every website. They indicate to the search engines what the website is all about. Once you have the URL’s, goto our free meta tag extractor tool to extract the META TAGS from their website. This will give us a good starting point for determining which keywords are best for your website. To find out which keywords you competitors are using, click on the link below
META TAG EXTRACTOR: http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/meta-tag-extractor.html

STEP 4: Find your niche keywords.

Ask yourself: What key word or phrase do people use to find your site on the search engines? This is arguable the most important step in the whole website process. Your keyword decisions can make or break your website. Once you have 10 or good keywords, write them down and email them to us. We will take it from there. We would highly recommend you do a professional keyword package to determine your niche keywords. We have a niche keyword program that will show us which keywords are saturated markets, and which keywords are ripe for the picking. (ripe for the picking = low competition but high search counts)

STEP 5: Your Content

If you asked us how to create a successful website on Google in 1 years time, our response would be: “Start with 100 pages of real content.” That’s right, 100 pages of content, and that’s not including the fluff pages like contact us, about us, terms, etc. Google rewards websites that provide large libraries of helpful and informative content. Creating articles is not hard to do. We have many article writing packages for you to choose from. We like to work smarter, and not harder, so what we do is figure out which keywords are your niche keywords first. Next we start writing your content articles around those niche keywords. To help you understand the keyword concept as it relates to Google and SEO, here is a quick example. There is 30,000 people every month searching for the keyword term: WEBSITE MARKETING . Consider this: There are 55,000 websites optimizing for that keyword. How hard do you think it would be to get one of those top 10 slots on Google? Nearly Impossible. Now consider this, AFFORDABLE WEBSITE MARKETING AND SEO has 5,200 searches every month, and only (4) competitors optimizing for this keyword. Keyword research first, article writing second.

STEP 6: Your Logo

Do you have a logo you would like to use on your Web site? Please find your logo and email it to us. Or if you prefer we can design one for you. $300 for unlimited designs until satisfied. Or choose from a free stock logo.

STEP 7: Page Names

Step 8: Send Us Your Slideshow Pictures

Go to this link: www.dreamstime.com and select 5 pictures you like. Copy the picture URL’s into the word document. Include your “tag line” for each picture.

“What’s a tag line???”

We’re glad you asked…

A tag line is like an elevator pitch about your business. Goto Smart Choice Sites and notice how we have tag lines for each slideshow picture on our homepage slideshow.

SLIDESHOW PICTURE 1: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
TAG LINE: example: TOP QUALITY SERVICE
SLIDESHOW PICTURE 2: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
TAG LINE: example: THE BEST SERVICE
SLIDESHOW PICTURE 3: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
TAG LINE: example: YOUR SOURCE FOR QUALITY SERVICE
SLIDESHOW PICTURE 4: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
TAG LINE: example: YOUR SOURCE FOR QUALITY SERVICE
SLIDESHOW PICTURE 5: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
TAG LINE: example: YOUR SOURCE FOR QUALITY SERVICE

These pictures should ideally be rectangular so that they fit nicely into your homepage slideshow. We will help you modify the pictures.

Step 9: Your Pictures

WEBSITE PICTURE 1: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
LOCATION: This picture we would like to put on the homepage.
WEBSITE PICTURE 2: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
LOCATION: This picture we would like to put on the services page.
WEBSITE PICTURE 3: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
LOCATION: This picture we would like to put on the services page.
WEBSITE PICTURE 4: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
LOCATION: This picture we would like to put on the services page.
WEBSITE PICTURE 5: http://www.dreamstime.com/create-the-best-image5794910
LOCATION: This picture we would like to put on the services page.

NOTE: If you can manage to send us your pictures in this neat format, we would love you for that!

Step 10: Need Clip-art or Web 2.0 buttons?

All of our clients get full access to our huge library of WEB 2.0 graphics.

Step 11: Write Your “Homepage” Content

In the space below, write the content you would like us to put on your homepage:

For example:

“Why just build a website, when you can build a business!”

Sure you can get a $10 a month website, (we offer those too!). The big question is; will that website bring you qualified leads? Or will it bring you lost time and effort? We all know time is money in business. The precious time you lose is always the largest cash cow.

Wouldn’t you rather have a site that will bring you qualified leads and expand your business while simultaneously recouping your costs within a year’s time? If you are serious about your web presence online, you need a pre-optimized SEO direct response website that gets your visitors to take action and prompts Google to rank you #1 on their search engine. We’re local. We’re personal. We’re professional. We can help!

Step 12: Write Your “About Us” Page Content

In the space below, write the content you would like us to put on your about us page:

For example:

We are Santa Barbara, California’s premier search engine optimization, internet marketing, web design and development company. Serving Santa Barbara Goleta, Isla Vista, San Luis Obispo, Ventura and Oxnard, and the entire central coast of California. We’ve harnessed some of the brightest technical talent and combined it with proven processes and good business sense to deliver solutions that meet the needs of customers worldwide. Our core competency is Internet marketing and we offer expert web design and development to compliment our customers’ marketing efforts. Our ability to establish and maintain long-term relationships with customers depends on the value we deliver. That value comes from being a company that:

Understands your business initiatives and markets

Has command of the technologies supporting your initiatives

Manages projects reliably

Communicates effectively

Delivers solutions quickly according to specifications and at the right price

With a staff of nearly 145+ dedicated professionals, we have the resources you need to compete and win. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a small to mid-sized business or a multinational corporation looking for the best in Internet marketing, design and development, look to Smart Choice Sites. We’ll show you the clear path to success. Welcome to e-business bliss!

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Step 13: Write Your “Services” Page Content

In the space below, write the content you would like us to put on your services page:

For example:

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Step 14: Write Your “FAQ” Page Content

In the space below, write the content you would like us to put on your FAQ page:

For example:

FAQ:

Can I use my own domain name?
Is there a long term commitment?
Will it cost me when I make changes to the site and content?
Can I add my own custom pages?
Can I turn off pages I don’t want displayed on my site?
How long does it take to setup my site?

Can I use my own domain name?
Yes, Your domain name can be configured to work with your website. We offer Domain service such as Domain Registration, Domain Transfers, Domain Forwarding and more. To learn more about our domain services speak to a representative today or visit Smart Choice Sites

Is there a long term commitment?
The solution we offer does not have a long term commitment.

Will it cost me when I make changes to the site and content?
NO, All changes that you make within your Smart Choice Site are FREE. You also get 10 hours of setup support with your lifetime license. Support beyond this is billed at hourly. .

Can I add my own custom pages?
Absolutely, with the Smart Choice Sites Content Management system, you can create unlimited custom pages or use many of our pre-built content pages from the stock ones provides.

Can I turn off pages I don’t want displayed on my site?
Yes, we understand that your company is unique and should have the ability to turn On or Off any features.

How long does it take to setup my site?
The beautiful thing about the Smart Choice Sites technology is that we have spent a great deal of time building the technology on a platform that will allow you to be fully functional within 24-48 hours.

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Step 15: Write Your “Testimonials” Page Content

Gathering Testimonials From Happy Customers

Testimonials are worth their weight in gold — literally.

You know that people are more and more skeptical of everything and everyone today. I don’t know of any better way to gain confidence and trust than by using testimonials. Anything you or I say about ourselves and our company is always discounted. But when somebody else trumpets your services and products it becomes much more believable. That’s why it’s critical to start a process of gathering testimonials. And lucky for you you’ve already been given an easy-to-use template that’s been proven to bring back testimonials.

Use the Testimonial Request Letter below and send it out.

And the more places you put your testimonials the better. Honestly, you can never use testimonials too much. If you ever watch infomercials (these are the long-form commercials that look like a TV show) you’ll notice that the good infomercials keep piling on testimonial after testimonial. Because it really doesn’t matter what you or I say, it’s what somebody else says about us that is important. So put a book of testimonials in your waiting room. Include them in your sales letters. Include them in your quotations. Frame letters from clients up on your walls.

Put testimonials in your ads, Val-Pak® coupons, yellow pages ad, brochure, sales letters, etc. etc.

You want people to be so overwhelmed by testimonials that there is no possible way prospects could make a mistake because so many other people use you and talk about how great your services/products are.

But try to stay away from testimonials like this:

“Dr. Williams is the best veterinarian I’ve ever taken my cat Fluffy to.” B.K. Chicago

That’s okay, but what you’re really shooting for is something like this if you’re a veterinarian:

“I’ve taken my dog Rover to practically every veterinarian in the city and nobody could figure

how to make him stopping itching himself. Different ointments and medications only worked for a short time. I was skeptical that any doctor could help my dog, but when I came to Dr. Williams, he instantly recognized the problem and now Rover hasn’t scratched himself in over a year. Thanks for your help.” Adam K. Sandler, Beverly Hills, CA Owner of 5 year old German Shepherd “Rover”

That’s much more powerful.

Also try to get people to allow you to list their full name and address if possible. Initials bring up doubt in people’s mind that you’ve just made up the testimonials. But real names and specifics give testimonials credibility.

Dear {Customer},

Thank you for your business. You recently had us perform {your service} and I hope everything is going well.

Now I’d like to ask a favor of you.

I’m in the process of putting together a list of testimonials – a collection of comments about the {your service} from valued customers like yourself.

Would you take a few minutes to give me your opinion? There’s no need to dictate a letter – just jot your comments on the attached form, sign it and send it back to me.

And if you’ll be kind enough to give me your comments, I’ll be pleased to return the favor by giving you a FREE {gift with high perceived value but little hard cost}.

I look forward to learning what you like about our {your service}, but I also welcome any suggestions or criticisms. Thanks so much for your time.

Warmest regards,

{Your Name}

P.S. Extra Bonus: Whoever sends in the best success story will also get a FREE {better gift with higher value}.

TESTIMONIAL FORM Please Return To:
{Your Company’s Name}
{Your Company’s Address}

Please write your comments and/or success stories and sign below:

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Step 16: Write Your “Free Giveaway” Tag Line

You need to create a strong desire for your prospects to call you. One way to do

this is by introducing a free bonus or some other appealing fact. Cultivating your monthly email newsletter list is a mission critical success factor for any website business.

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Step 17: Record Your Company Video

Step 18: Write down 5 polling questions for your poll

Step 19: Fill out your full contact details below:

Company Name:
Owner Name:
Phone:
Fax:
Address:
Email:

Company Emails you would like us to setup:

Email #1:

Email #1 password:

Email #2:

Email #2 password:

Email #3:

Email #3 password:

Step 20: DOMAIN REGISTRAR DETAILS

If you already have an existing domain name. We will need those details. Please fill out your domain name registrar details below. We need this information to “point” your domain name to your new free web hosting account with us. Please be aware that any email accounts currently setup at your current web host will not function for 24-48 hours until your domain name propagates to our servers.

Domain Register URL:

Username:

Password:

Step 21: Educational Article: Why you need inbound links

http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/link-building-packages.html

Step 22: Educational Article: Why you need 100 articles of helpful content on your site

http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/article-packages.html

Step 23: Educational Article: Why you need to submit your articles to directories

http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/directory-submission.html

Step 24: Educational Article: Why you need to do a Press Release

http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/press-release.html

Step 25: Educational Article: Why you need social bookmarking

http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/social-bookmarking.html

Step 26: Educational Article: Why you need a PPC campaign

http://www.thesearchenginepros.com/pay-per-click-q-and-a.html

Well, not quite. You just the read the page and learned what you need to do. Now you need to TAKE ACTION. Remember, getting a properly designed website is only half the battle. The next mountain to climb is SEM AND SEO. Please see our SEO CHECK LIST

E-mail to: support@thesearchenginepros.com