Published Jun 25 2008, 12:44 PM by Diana -- MSFT

A small Web site can be powerful

I’ve managed many Web sites in my career and often come back to the same concept:  Keep it simple!

I found that one of the toughest parts of Web site creation is figuring out what to write. I’m often surprised at people’s natural instincts to go overboard and want to add everything to a Web site. The result is paralysis, brought on by being overwhelmed at the prospect of trying to create all the content they plan.

So here are some suggestions.  Focus on answering the four main questions:  who, what, why, how. Really work to just simply tell your story.  And keep in mind that too much content can be overwhelming and sometimes miss the core message you are trying to share.

In addition to this, it’s smart to focus on what customers want to see in a Web site. That’s why I want to share an article written by Monte Enbysk, my colleague and a senior editor at Office Live Small Business. He makes this point in his recent Expert Advice article, “10 things customers want on a small-business Web site.”

The article encourages you focus on what customers want as well as telling your story online. It encourages you to reach beyond your comfort zone in how much information you share. If you are really uncomfortable about how much you put on the Web, do this in small steps. Check out the article for some suggestions.

If you see anything missing from Monte’s list, click Add a Comment and let us know.

Diana Lawson

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