What is a Content Management System (CMS)?

CMS software is used for creating and managing web sites.

It separates the content from the structure and design of the web site and provides authoring tools that allow non-technical users to make content changes to the web site with little or no training.

Change Your Web Site "Skin"

"Skin" is a term used to describe the visual appearance of your web sites pages.

There are many reasons why you may want to "reskin" your web site:

• Create a new look to keep your web site "fresh".
• Modify your branding message.
• Reflect the changing seasons.
• Promote special occasions.
• Differentiate between your web site sections.

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Creating Effective Websites

A Great Website Can Make a Huge Difference to Your Business

You don't have to be a high volume online retailer to benefit from a really professionally designed, built and promoted website. Whatever you sell, your website can be a truly effective communications tool for letting your potential customers know about your business, what it can do for them, and how they can do business with you.

Web Site Fundamentals

Here are some fundamentals that we believe every website needs. These are the core concepts we have in mind when we work with each of our clients to create websites that can effectively bring new customers through their doors.

1. Visual Appeal
Look great or risk rejection. For this reason all the sites we create are designed by seasoned graphic design professionals with a track record of web and user interface design, not color blind programmers or interns that have just mastered HTML basics. Visual site design is as much a science as it is an art and there is no substitute for using professionals who understand what goes into a making web pages visually appealing.

2. Engaging Content
A site can look great with mouth watering graphics but unless you have interesting and informative content your visitors won't hang around long enough to find out what you have to offer. Inform your visitors, educate them, entertain them, tell them stories, above all keep them engaged. Our copywriters, editors and photographers can help you put together the right content to communicate your message to your potential new customers.

3. Simple to Navigate
Sometimes its tempting to build a really cool looking site with crazy buttons and links, however this is not an art project, it's a communication tool for your business. Every visitor who can't figure out where to click is a missed opportunity. Our designers understand usability. It's almost always best to stick to conventional navigation. However it's also great to provide alternative ways to get to content, put your site visitor in the driving seat and keep them happy.

4. Easy to Update
The more frequently you add or update content on your site the more likely you are to get people coming back for repeat visits. If you can add pages and update information yourself without having to involve your webmaster or graphic designer, the more likely you are to be able to keep your site dynamic. For this reason all our sites are based on content management software.

5. Search Engine Friendly
A fantastic looking site, with loads of interesting content is no use to your business if nobody can find it. Your site may look great to you but how does it look to a search engine? You need to be able to add all those little extra bits of information and special tags that make your site easy to find. We make sure that SEO optimization is easy whether you are using our search marketing services, doing it yourself or engaging another SEO professional.

6. Extensible
You need a site that will grow with you. All our sites are built so that when it's time for a new look and feel the site designer can "reskin" the site without requiring you to change any content. You also need to be able to add content, features and applications when you are ready to take your site onto the next level. Avoid websites that take you hostage. We employ CMS (content management) technology in all our sites so that you stay in control.

7. Measurable
It is really important that you know how visitors are actually using your site. It's possible to track in great detail exactly how they are navigating, what they are viewing and whether they are getting to the places you want to guide them to. If you know what works and what doesn't you can continually improve your site visitors experience, keep them longer and ultimately convert more of them into loyal customers.

Once you have a killer website you need to let the world know about it. Read about Toptastic's on-line marketing programs, including SEO, search marketing, online brand management and more here >>