Ideas, thoughts, things you hadn't thought to think about...

What do you want from your website?
Your website should be like the glossy brochure you leave with all potential clients. Include plenty of pictures and slideshows and change these reqularly to keep people interested.

Your website should be only part of your overall marketing strategy. Importantly, your other advertising needs to promote your website as prominently as possible.

The design of your site should follow your branding. It should incorporate your company logo and colors.

Obviously....you should get all of the email addresses you need using your website address. Joe@JoesPlumbing.co.uk sounds better than Joe123456@googlehoo.co.uk. LJS will also provide them for personal use if you want...no extra charge.

Is the website your main advertising?

If so, you need to concentrate on 'Search Engine Optimisation' which gets your site to the top of the first page when a customer searches.

You should also consider your internet marketing strategy.

How many links into your site from others can you get?

Should you invest in adwords on Google - "pay per click"?

Should you include advertisements for associated services in your site?

Do you want to trade on-line?

Be prepared for higher costs.

To pay over the internet you need an additional service to verify the payment card.

You could pay £50 per month for this or 2-3% of each sale.

This type of site takes a lot more setting up which is separate from the payment system.

Have you a lot more to say?

Have you things you would like to 'chat about' in your site - such as keeping a diary.

Go for a site which includes a 'blog' facility so that you can add news snippets whenever the fancy takes you.

Would you benefit from a network of friends spreading news of your site and service by 'word of mouth'?

Get your site linked into facebook and twitter.