Are you ready to build a website? Let's create the structure!
Before we can build a website we need to talk structure. How
you build a website is just as important as its content. Let's
stop to think about our overall structure for a second.
We've
decided on a niche/theme and we are now building top down from
that concept. Picture the great pyramid. The main theme/niche for
your website is represented by the pinnacle of your pyramid.
Your main theme/niche is represented by your specific keyword or your home page keyword.
The additional keywords uncovered will be used as support. Support/content related to the theme/niche keyword.
Can you see how our planning is about to pay off? Remember, we've
researched our niche (defined the site’s overall keyword) and found the
various sub categories or topics to support it.
We've chosen a number of secondary keywords to support the overall niche. These secondary keywords will form level two of our structure.
Our level two keywords will become the main items on our navigation bar. In addition to the second level that we’ve already defined, an additional sub category can be created. This level of keywords will support level two in terms of content. Our structure when you think about it, truly resembles a pyramid, from top down.
Here is an example. Let’s say that the theme for your website was
the NFL. Yes the National Football League. This would be your
main/top level within the structure. The second level within your
pyramid, directly below and mapping up to the NFL, would be your
individual teams.
Once we have the teams in place (let’s say we've used 10 for the website), we could then create a third level based upon the players for each individual team.
You have now created a pyramid structure which is easy to follow and in the case of a website, provides/creates an excellent way of presenting your website's data to the user.
In addition to the structure of your website, we also need to address it's design. How it looks and feels to your user. Whether it is pleasing to the eyes. Take a moment to consider any background graphics that you might want to use.
You also want to think about optimizing our website for the search engines. Take a moment to read up on search engine optimization.
Finally, finally we get to start building a website.
We have covered how to build a
website. Now, take your time with getting every page up and
running. Don't worry about the search engine spiders yet.
It
will take some time before they find you, probably
several weeks. Don’t slow up, continue adding content. Remember,
you build a website stronger by adding quality content.
One last note before we move on. Once you have added about 20 pages
of content, start devoting some time to
building links. Very important. Build a website, grow your
business.
