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Re:What's the secret to a successful site? - 2006/02/16 22:57
The simplest way to answer this question is to say, "Let people know it's there!"
In order to be successful in business today you need to market your products and services and stay visible to your customer base. The same should apply once you've committed to having a website.
The web is the only medium where you are engaging your visitors. They have to find you instead of an ad where it finds and annoys them. Keeping your website current, having good content that is useful for visitors, and making it work for you by selling or providing customer service is the best way to get a good return on the money you invest.
Let me back up. Here's my basic list on what you need to have a successful site, in no particular order:
-Make sure it correctly represents your brand (who you are and what you do)
-Make sure it works (No Error 404 pages here)
-Keep copy current, focused, and worthy. Good copy can make or break a website. People go to websites to find information. Fill a need and they will come back (hopefully with money).
-Be there. Nothing is worse than a site that promotes "live help all the time" and then does not answer. On the web people expect immediate answers. If you can't provide them, offer an alternative such as a FAQ section.
-Have a plan. Would you go on a trip somewhere you haven't been without a map? Then why build a website without a plan? What do you want from it? How long will it take you to get there? How does it fit into your business operations?
-Market the darn thing. Put your web address on everything you do both online and offline. Letterhead, phone system, business cards, advertising, press releases, flyers, brochures, etc. Use viral tactics such as search engine listings, meta tags, linking, Tell a Friend, email and more to make it easy for people to find the site.
-Do the right thing. Make a site that is geared towards your customers. If you think it needs Flash but your customers say you don't, then kill the Flash. Ask them what they want, then give it to them.
Could it be any simpler?
Samantha
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