Website Design Guide; The Seven C's Part 1

A simple online business model to follow for new online websites is the 7 C's model. Try to think of the 7 C's as a roadmap for designing your website user interface. The C's are: Context, Content, Community, Customization, Communication, Connection, and Commerce. Each area must align with your original business strategy and website model. If each area connects with each other well enough, your website will fare much better than if each area was quite different from one another. The only real way to see if your website model is meeting the needs of your viewers is to offer a prototype model. Here we will cover the basics of the first four C's of the 7 C's model, and what each area should accomplish.

Context: Within context are two major factors which your viewers are going to look at; Website function, and Website Aesthetics. Your new website model should be able to load very quickly no matter how large the page files are. There should be quality information on each page, and have an effective website search feature. This will allow your viewers to find information quickly, and stay for a long period of time. As well, your website design should mimic your offline company features; your brand identity should be seen in your website design. This lets your viewers know who you are without having to outright tell them.

Content: Depending on the type of website you are about to design, the content within your website must either address cognitive or emotional appeal; or both. Your first homepage (landing page) should try to be as simple as possible; keeping all detailed information on tabbed links off to the sides or header. The recent use of "blogging" enables companies to add relevant issues to their website on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis; keeping viewers interested in the website. As a rule, make sure your website is updated at least once per week; adding, or editing content.

Community: Every single website doesn't necessarily need to provide a communal area for viewers, but it does add to reinforcement to brand identity. At a minimum, a website forum is always a good tool to allow customers access to detailed company information, or other viewers comments.

Customization: Website surfers are drawn to websites which have a personalized touch. This may come in forms of Geo-coding (personalizing a landing page to a viewers geographical area), or account log ins. Viewers tend to like the ability to customize and personalize their own space; offering a "member log in" or "members area" may increase viewer return.