Easily Designing a Minisite

The expression "minisite" can refer to many unique things. Some folks refer to tiny niche article sites minisites, but that isn't the common use of the word. In Internet marketing, the word "minisite" is usually used to refer to exceedingly small websites that are set up to sell an item - frequently an eBook or other digital download.

Most minisites are only 1-5 pages. Several of them are only a lone sales pitch page, added to maybe a thank you page for after the buyer orders. Others have a contact page, a conditions of service page, a frequently asked questions page, or added all-purpose pages.

For the reason of this tutorial, we'll simply work on creating a lone page minisite, and we'll include just the design - not the sales copy. Nearly all minisites have several basic parts. They frequently contain a header and footer, though some contain merely a header, or may include neither.

They also have a sales letter of some kind, which is used to promote the item. Lastly, they have an order button that is clicked once a shopper wishes to buy the product. Some minisites in addition include an eCover, which is a computer-generated picture that copies what the product may appear like if it was a physical product.

For example, if the product is an eBook, the eCover might look like a hardcover or paperback book cover (at times a spiral notebook, too). If the item is a membership site, the eCover may be a membership card. Software products generally contain a 3D software box as their eCover.

The first step in creating a minisite ought to be creating your eCover, if you expect to utilize one. Most folks construct their eCovers with Photoshop, since as a rule eCover action scripts just work with Photoshop. If you don't possess Photoshop, you could want to construct it from scratch, or have it prepared for you by a certified graphic designer.

Once you have your cover design, you'll want to generate a header. While some marketers don't use headers, a large amount do. A well-designed header can bring interest to your headline, plus it can make your site seem more specialized.

The header should contain your product's title along with a tag line - such as a single-sentence blurb that tells what your site is about. It should also have a photo that's associated with your niche, plus it might as well have a miniature form of your ecover - all tied into a theme for your demographic.

Let's say you're creating a minisite to promote your dog-training eBook. Your header could potentially contain a picture of a lady pointing at a dog, as well as the dog sitting down. After that the text on the header might say something similar to the following: Dog Training 101: The Best Manual to Teaching Your Puppy or Adult Dog!

Don't create your header too large. If the header is so large visitors can't see the headline without scrolling, it's overly large! It must attract interest to the headline, not hide it. Headers are usually between 700 and 800 pixels wide and 100-200 pixels in height.

The footer is customarily the identical width, although about half the height of the header. It could just have the product name or logo, although may possibly additionally contain an image or copyright sign. Lastly, you must have an order button that draws a lot of interest. Your button might have your eCover, plus a brightly colored button and a call-to-action, such as "Click Here for Instant Access!"

If you bear the money to invest, you might think about ordering a minisite package from a certified designer. For roughly $300, you'll get the header, footer, eCovers, and at times added banners that you can employ for off-site promotions.


To have dramatic success with creating a minisite, it's important to learn everything you can about creating the page before you begin. Visit the following link to begin marketing like an expert and join Brian Elrod's team.