Website Marketing - Which Comes First - The Content Or the Design?

Recently I've received several emails with questions like these: "I'm revising my web site. The web designer wants my copy next week. I'm still figuring out my niche." Or, "I can't talk about content because I don't have a web designer."

When I read these comments, I remember the very first time I needed a web site. I too began by searching for a web designer. He created a design net web hosting looked very professional. But when I finally created (and re-created) my content, the design didn't communicate my message.

Here's what I didn't know. Your web site is a direct response marketing tool. It's not a brochure or even the kind of ad you'd find gracing the distinguished pages of the New Yorker magazine. So before you hire a designer, you need to work through these 5 steps.

(1) Recognize whether your market is hungry...and where they go to buy food. Do they buy on the Internet? What car insurance quotes on line them to hit the buy button? Are they feeling pain, passion or both?

(2) Make your web site sticky, not memorable. Give readers a reason to leave their names and email addresses. So set up your "subscribe" page and giveaway first.

I you have a speaking date and no time to put up a whole web site, set up a professional looking subscription page. Give away an e-zine, e-course or single 10-tips download. Then when the rest of the site is ready, send out an email to your subscribers.

Setting up an "under construction" page is like wearing a scrunchie in the 21st century (or opening a restaurant and serving stale bread and water while you promise "Gourmet meals served as soon as we finish the kitchen").

(3) Your message and target market dictate your design. Your graphics, layout, color scheme, navigation and menu will all be influenced by your decisions about market and message.

How will visitors move through your site? What sequence of pages will motivate them to buy? What metaphors will capture your message vividly (so visitors "get it?" Will they respond best to a mood that is soothing, moving, inspirational or flamboyant?

Most important: Will visitors read your message easily? Will they skim over your best testimonials because you didn't highlight them in the design? Will they see your subscription box as soon as they arrive on a page?

One of my clients buried her glowing testimonials in a sidebar. She used green 8-point type on a yellow background. They're beautiful but who's going to risk eyestrain to read them?

Bottom Line: Web design and development will be critical to your project - -but not as the first step. Experienced web developers have told me, "I prefer to work with clients who have content in hand and know what they need."

And your logo? Great idea...after you've worked with some clients and have a clear idea what you stand for. Nearly everyone I know wishes they'd waited to choose a logo and create expensive visuals.

And now I invite you to find out more by visiting copy-cat-copywritingcopy-cat-copywriting. Download my free report, 7 secrets of websites that *really* attract clients.

From Cathy Goodwin, The Website Makeover Pro. copy-cat-copywritingcopy-cat-copywriting

A Letter From Santa

How can a Letter From Santa make a difference to your child?

We all have our own personal memories of Christmas as children. Presents, turkey dinners, real Christmas trees, snow. The list is endless. But one memory that never leaves most of us, is the thought of Santa coming on Tennessee Lemon Laws sleigh, pulled by his reindeer's, late into the night when all children are asleep, delivering those long awaited presents!

I, for one, still get a buzz from the Santa story. Watching a Santa DVD at Christmas with my young children brings all those old feelings of excitement to the fore. I see the same look of belief and anticipation of what is about to come in their faces as I used to feel at their age. This is why I would not miss sending a letter to them from Santa every year.

My kids love it! They tell all their friends about 'Santa' sending them a letter. It makes them feel important and special. (what a small price to pay).

Surprise your children with a letter from Santa. By sending a letter from Santa you'll make this Christmas a magical experience for your child. Just think back to when you were a child and try to remember the excitement of getting something in the post, imagine if that something was a letter from Santa Claus himself, in his handwriting, stating exactly why you were good this year and what you wanted for Christmas.

You could send a Letter from Santa to Your Entire Family, no matter what the age. Your family members are sure to appreciate a special custom made letter from Santa himself!

Santa can personalize details specific to your child including: your child's name, gender, age, hometown, accomplishment, present, and best friend's name. You'll einsurance find that by receiving this personalised letter from Santa, they can't wait to "be nice to their sibling" or "clean up their toys" or "take care of their pet" when Santa asks. So, it also makes your life better on the run up to Christmas!

To find out more about 'A letter from Santa' visit christmasvillage.blogspotchristmasvillage.blogspot