Website Redesign

A website is an extension of your business. For many of your customers, it is the first impression they will get of you and your company.

Perhaps it seemed like a good idea to develop your site in-house, or to let your Production Manager's nephew do it in his spare time. Many of the first business sites developed were created in-house by enthusiastic employees or by a "friend".

Unfortunately, most of these self-designed sites are ugly, amateurish, have poor navigation, large images, and poor typography. This may reflect badly on the company to potential clients or employees.

In the past, initial exposure to your company or products probably began with a visit from a sales rep or a well designed print advertisement. This is probably not the case in today's business environment. The Internet has made it easy for web surfers to anonymously visit a company's website in search of product and company information. if they like what they see, they may send an e-mail or place a phone call to begin a business relationship. If they don't like what they see, they will disappear, probably to your competitor, and you will never even know. A poorly designed website can negate the credibility of the company or the quality of your products. Things that you never really gave much thought to - poor layout, large images or out of date or poorly written content - have just cost you a potential customer. What was that old adage . . . ? You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.

Contrastingly a well designed website can paint a much bigger picture than is the actual reality (first impressions are lasting) and can encourage the surfer to want to know more or contact the company.

More and more companies realize the power of the internet to work as a PR element for them and are redesigning their sites in keeping with the changing environment in information technology.

Conversely many of our clients have realized that the Internet didn't provide what they had anticipated and have changed their approach from E-Commerce sites to a PR site (or visa versa) or to a more technically supportive role for their products or services.

Other clients realize the importance of maintaining a fresh image and opt for annual "facelifts". We allow for this in our design architecture, making it an inexpensive procedure that can give the website new life, even with static and unchanging information.

In our opinion, the key to a successful site is to keep it interesting through constant updates, quality content and by making it "user friendly" for the impatient corporate user who visits your site with 'an intention', to learn about your company. It should be easy for your customer to find information on products, both from a marketing slant and a technical one. The fact that it is open '24 / 7' makes this an invaluable asset to your business.

It is of utmost importance to us that your web site is professional, attractive, draws visitors and brings you more business!

It is nearly impossible to keep abreast of the technology being developed for the web. But many web developers try. Many seem to be driven more by "what can be done"' as opposed to "what should be done". What we find is a plethora of slow, poorly laid-out sites with technology that requires every plugin known to man and lose the message. Your message.

The final result of poor design is that your customers quickly lose interest. They tire of the long waits due to slow image downloads or while a needless Flash movie plays. Valuable time is wasted as a result of poor site architecture. Your customers - lighting professionals - can't find what they want. So what do they do? They go somewhere else to get the product information they need. Perhaps to a competitor's site. Once they leave, the odds of them returning are slim.

At citilinks, we believe that it is best to use cutting-edge technology only if it adds something to the page and to the website without detracting from the message or limiting the customers ability to get to the information they want - yours! We believe in allowing for choice. Some want the bells, whistles and fireworks while others want just the facts. The customer should be able to have it their way.

Once again, we have only just scratched the surface here. Website design and development is a very involved subject, and every project is different. We are always happy to speak with you personally and answer all your questions in detail. Call us at 925-556-9677 or click here to request more information.