Offering Function in Your Web Site

Every web site has a function, even if it's a simple one-page "Business Card" web site to tell people who you are and what you do.

Your web site can also offer function. That is, it can offer a way for people to do something at your web site.

Here are some examples you may want to consider:

• Email links: simple email address links
  
  
• Email forms: fill-in-the-blank form in which the user provides specific information
  
  
• Search functions
  
  
• Online catalogs to display your products
  
  
• Shopping carts: full e-commerce capabilities with ordering, checkout, and payment processes
  
  
• Databases
  
  
• Entertainment
  
  
• Subscription service to join your email list (Note: you should offer something of real value to make it worthwhile to people to join a list. You must also provide a method of return confirmation to ensure that the person whose email address is submitted is really the person who submitted it. You can be accused of spamming and lose your web site and/or your hosting if you send out commercial emails to a mailing list for which you have no verification or confirmation of email addresses.)
  
  
• Interactivity between you and your visitors or clients:
  • Support desk
  • Real-time chats
  • Polls
  • Forums
    
    
• Calculators
  
  
• Postcards
  
  
• Galleries
  
  
• Guestbooks
  
  and many more.

Look around at different web sites, this time with an eye to what they can do. What do you want your web site to do? Can you do it better than your competition? You should!

Caveat: If a function requires you to respond to input from a visitor, such as a support desk, forums or chats, DO make sure you have the time to do it or that you can delegate someone to deal with those responsibilities. If you choose to use utilize such functions in your web site and do not stay actively involved daily, you risk appearing unresponsive or uncaring -- very bad for a Customer Service image. On the other hand, if you are actively involved with your visitors and maintain a helpful, professional presence, your reputation will grow quickly and it will be obvious to new visitors (and potential customers) that you provide excellent customer service.

next  >> Planning Your Web Site, Section 4: Setting Structure