Updated or Outdated:
It's time to update your website. How do you get there?

Your Web site is your front door, your store and your office. The impression you make with a professional, clean and functional Web site will carry over through your business dealings with customers and clients.

Try to view your site from a user's perspective and don't be afraid to get feedback on improving the Web experience. Here are some tips to help you spruce up your site design.

1. Mind the Basics
A visitor should be able to tell what your business does right from your main Web page. You have only a few seconds to make a good impression. Keep your site updated regularly with new content, products or information, and your customers will have a reason to stick around as well as come back later. Make sure your contact information is easily accessible.

2. Keep your site organized
Be sure your site’s navigation is clear, simple and consistent from page to page. Try to place the most important information toward the top of the page to minimize the amount of scrolling that your customer needs to do to find what they are looking for. Good site structure translates into ease of use and satisfied customers who will want to return to your Web site.

3. Are you too flashy?
Sites with lots of spinning video, animated splash pages and automatic music may be appropriate for some businesses, but not most. Elaborate Web design can slow down the user experience and be a turn-off for potential customers. Keep the look of your Web site clean and always consider the impression you're making on a first-time visitor. Do you really want them waiting around for a page to load, or frantically reaching to turn down their speakers? You should be aware of the size of your graphics files. Keep them slimmed down so they will load quickly.

4. Pay attention to color
Be aware of the impact of different colors. If you wouldn't print a business card with hot pink text on a black background, you shouldn't have a Web site that looks like that, either. Be sure to check that all text is easily readable and that your overall use of color is easy on the eyes. Businesses that already have a color scheme associated with their branding can carry that over to their Web site for a consistent experience both online and off.

5. Go to a professional
Most busy executives don't have the time or expertise to build and maintain an elaborate Web site — even a simple site of a dozen pages. If your site needs a little “Fresh” added to it, this may be a good time to check in with a designer who can specifically tailor a site to fit your business and budget. Andermahr & Company, for example, has professional web designers on staff to build your site to meet your specific needs, excellent services that are not only affordable, but also can get your site up quickly while providing the added benefit of monthly maintenance. Busy executives will appreciate the one-stop shopping.