One of the most common methods for communicating electronically is a website. Later in this module, we'll talk about the importance of a well designed and maintained website. An important component of design is the text that you choose to display. Generally, you want to get your message across in as few words as possible. To develop the most effective wording, you need to have a clear idea of the message you want to convey. Are you marketing or selling, providing public relations, or maybe your message is meant as customer service? Once your intended message is clear to you, develop some text and then run it by friends, family, or employees to be sure it is clear to them as well. Are they receiving the ideas or concepts that you intend to convey?

Your text may or may not stand on its own. Later we'll discuss different types of media (audio, videos, or photos for example) that you may consider using. While we aren't suggesting that the tradeoff is exactly 1,000 words per picture, as the saying goes, photos and other graphics may make your website clearer and more effective as a

communications tool. Use those tools along with your selected text to convey your point to your audience.

Potential clients and customers may want to find specific information about your product/service on your website. Frequently this includes pricing information; however you can also state that prices will be provided by request, via phone, fax, or email. Let's consider an example of a fruit grower who also processes jams. Specific information that a potential customer might be looking for on the fruit grower's website include:

• a store location where the customer can purchase the jams
• flavors available
• ingredients used to process the jam
• jar sizes
• shipping information if the product can be purchased through the fruit grower's website
• any quantity requirements for purchases through the website
• whether the jam can be purchased and shipped to another individual as a gift
• other retailers carrying the product.