Website layout

[bigbluebox]

Hi all,

I have been researching effective website layouts, but can't find many recent opinions, so I thought I'd see what people recommend on here!

If tasked with revamping your B2B website, what up to date features would you make sure are included, and do you have any handy tips for effective layout?

Thanks

 

[fisicx]

Logo / contact details / call to action at the top.
Navigation underneath or to the left.
Main content using headers paragraphs and lists.
Footer containing contact details and secondary links.
Don't use backgrounds or borders.
Make fonts big enough to read by your target customer.
Black on white text.
Make sure links look like links.
Ensure site is usable and accessible.
Don't distract the visitor.

Lots more concepts if you research typography, captology, colour theory, UX, information chunking and so on.

In essence, nothing has changed except the eye candy. Adding a twitter or facebook feed/button doesn't make the site more effective. In fact it can reduce the potential for conversions as it takes the visitor off site where they can get distracted or lose interest.

 

[XanderMarketing]

Think about the one thing you want users to do when they reach your homepage. Sign up to a free trial, download a free document, read a key page etc and make the most out of that.