17. Do you have any top tips before I decide to buy my website?
One good piece of advice is to consider the number of pages you will require first, and in which order of appearance you would like them to appear on your web pages. They may not necessarily be in order of priority, but as a general rule, most websites have the HOME page as the first page. This could be changed to WELCOME instead?
If you are adding an ABOUT US page, this needs to include information about yourself; how you trained/ year established/ experience/ qualifications etc. This should be the 2nd page if possible.
Your next few pages will then include the services you offer. Sometimes a separate page per service is better, unless each service is quite small. For example, if you are a builder, you may want to include other services on separate pages (and have relevant images & text to match), such as BUILDING ROOFING EXTENSIONS LOFT CONVERSIONS....
If you are the owner of a restaurant, you may want to show part of your menu on your website. For obvious reasons, the MAIN services here in order should be:-
HOME ABOUT US STARTERS MAIN COURSE DESSERT DRINKS correct
and not.....
HOME ABOUT US DESSERT DRINKS MAIN COURSES STARTERS incorrect
VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL PAGE TITLE NAVIGATION BUTTONS?
(1)VERTICAL PAGES = Moving downwards on the left or right side of the margin. (Above, showing left margin)
(2) HORIZONTAL PAGES = At the top of the page - moving across from left to right, either above or below main header.
If you have multiple pages (more than 5 or 6), then you are recommended to have (1) design. This is because your page layout is always longer than it is wider. Therefore all your page titles will be on display - like above.
If you have 6 pages or less, you could choose (1) or (2)
If you have more than 6 pages, then from the 7th page onwards (depending on your margins), the layout display will automatically show the title '' more.... '' and the remaining pages can only be displayed when you click the word 'more' - and this will show a drop-down menu of the remaining pages. This could potentially lose you custom if all your services are not clearly displayed.
Here is an example of (2) below:-
Horizontal Page Menu Buttons ...
Click to enlarge
Notice that on this layout, there are only 5 page titles showing. The remaining 5 pages are hidden until click on 'more...' is selected. Also note the poor alignment of the header text - this was because the layout design had been changed after text insertion & editing.
Vertical Page Menu Buttons ...
Click to enlarge
Although the header text needs adjusting, since the page titles are now vertical, they are all on display. (Apart from the ones cropped)
Clear & focussed images?
It is also important to make sure that your image 'subject matter' are clear and in focus.