A Basic and Professional Website Template

If you are running you home business online, it is best to do so through a professional looking website. This will be your client's first port of call when they need information. It is also your main advertising space, so it is important that your website is clear, clean, professional and easy to navigate around.

If you are not a trained web designer then it is probably best and time saving, to pay a web designer to do it for you. If you attempt to do it yourself then you run the risk of it looking messy, cheap and homemade. Unless this is the look that you are trying to achieve, it will give off the wrong message.

Having a website designed need not be expensive. There are many talented and creative college and university students who will gladly design you a site for a small fee and the right to use it as an example in their portfolio.

Once you have decided on how you will go about having your site designed, you need to brainstorm a general content plan. A common and good, clear structure to use is as follows;

• Home - here you should include a welcoming phrase and information about your site. You should make it clean and clear. This will make people want to read on.

• About us - within this page you have the opportunity to tell your potential client a bit about yourself or how your company was made, do not make this too long and boring. Make it short and informative. You can also include a mission statement or goals.

• What is a (your occupation) - on this page you are able to describe exactly what your occupation involves, and why you are so unique in comparison to others in your field of work

• Services - arranged on this page can be a list of the services you require. Here you can also include information on how to get a quote.

• Rates - this page can contain a list of rates for your services or you can explain how you work out you rates or if you charge on an individual quotation basis. You could also provide a rough price bracket so that your clients have an estimate of your rates.

• Testimonials - here you should display any testimonials from satisfied clients. This is always attractive to new potential clients as they have proof that your work it of a good standard.

• Contact Us - finally, you should have your contact information, provide as many as you can so that clients can choose a method that suites them best.

Remember to put contact information at the bottom of every page as well as navigational links. This will ensure that your clients never have to look for your contact details, and they can navigate around your site with ease.