Take a short international tour of some interesting ODL provider's sites for possible answers. When receiving a brief for a new website commercial designers first ask questions. Too often these considerations are disregarded in the rush to have an online presence. A well-laid out site will give a good impression of an organisation, and develop a particular image.
Successful marketing goes hand in hand with good design and is built on relationships.
Obtaining users contact details gives an opportunity to channel communication more effectively. At the very least it must be obvious how to get more particulars, or to proceed to the next stage. Perhaps not surprisingly given their dominance in the ODL sector and their concentration on promotion, the US providers' sites I visited were extremely attractive. The needs of different users have obviously been considered and the designs include unusual features. Their boldly used logo features a dungaree-clad girl smiling up from a blue, red and yellow snakes and ladders board.