11/10/2006 - Tutorial 9

Small Business Websites

Tutorial Notes 9

1.                      What are the 3 elements of commercial websites?

Functionality, informational content and emotional appeal.

2.                      How do you define emotional appeal?

Emotional appeal is the feeling towards the product a consumer sees whilst the product is being stored or advertised.

3.                      What are the biggest limitations of the emotional appeal?

The biggest limitation to emotional appeal is the complicity to measure the factor. Due to the fact it is a feeling and not something tangible, it can only be ranked and discussed with; with other consumers.

4.                      Is emotional appeal more effective in B2B or B2C settings? Discuss

Emotional appeal is more effecting in B2C because consumers purchase products that suit their needs and wants. If a consumer needs something rather than want, they will be more likely to get the need first.

5.                      What are the possible ways of measuring effectiveness of the emotional appeal? Discuss.

Most effective way to measure emotional appeal would be through consumer surveys or study buyer behaviour attitudes towards the product.

6.                      What is the Relationship between informational content and functionality?

The relationship is that their interdependent and integration is essential.

7.                      Would you Use Microsoft Word for Web Content Development? Discuss.

Microsoft word would be more flexible when it comes to implementing the source onto dream weaver because dream weaver allows import of Microsoft Word documents so as to enable them to copy the content onto the webpage.

8.                      Give examples of content friendly applications

Frontpage, Dreamweaver, Microsoft word and sausage software.

9.                      Discuss the limitations of these applications web-development-wise.

Limitations of these web development tools is that their sole purpose is to provide a interface to develop websites. These programs are not suitable for coding, such as javascript and XML.

10.                 What are the key differences between primary, secondary and supporting content?

Primary content requires regular updates where as secondary and supporting content does not. Secondary and supporting content is static, where as primary is dynamic. Primary content is vital for keeping a website alive, where secondary and supporting content is not as important.

11.                 Why it is so difficult to classify links is either informational content or functionality?

Because links can be applied to informational text as well as linked titles. With informational text the text can be linked and at the same time provide information about the certain page or product.

Exercise

Identify and locate three small-business websites and make your own observations about their content and functionality. Provide sufficient information for a reader to quickly comprehend the nature of the business and what services/products it is offering - the URL is a must.

For preference, select Australian-based businesses.

Review the observations of others and comment appropriately on their blogs.

Net Starter - http://www.Netstarter.com.au

Net starter offers website hosting and website making services. Their website template and content at first glance is very appealing and easy to use. Their informational content is well summarized and detailed to express their ideals to the consumers in a time and space efficient way. Links are well organized and designed; use of language is also well managed.

ASecretary: offers virtual network assistants. This website is also very good as it provides on the home page detailed information about exactly what service/s they offer and what needs they want to meet of customers.

Go4Outsourcing: offers outsourcing services in business processes such as web & software development. Another good website where it’s homepage again explains what services they offer and what needs they want to meet of customers. They have navigation on both the left and top. The left-hand side navigation splits the links into different categories, making it easier for the user to navigate around the site. The top navigation is where common links are found, such as home, contact us and help. Different categories for the business’ services are also found on the home page down the bottom.