Websites are More than Glorified Brochures
Image via Wikipedia
Once upon a time, websites were glorified brochures.
The tools that were available and affordable to create websites basically limited what the business owner could do. So they asked their graphic and creative people to work on a marketing piece that they could put on line with their contact details and maybe some additional information.
But the on line world has changed.
Lets look at the challenges of creating a web site that is a brochure:
The first challenge is to keep it current, relevant and accurate
Next is that brochures tend to either leave out information or are too wordy. Part of what makes a good brochure is placement of pictures and white space. And while web pages need white space, it is not always easy to be creative with a web page the way one can be on paper, especially if you are using tools like WordPress or Joomla. They are not easy to add flairs and creativity. It is possible but challenging. You will need both a graphic person and a coder more than likely to get the special effect of brochures.
And finally, if you website is a brochure, how will you reach different target clients. A brochure is often tailored to specific target markets. A good web site will allow visitors to drop in from different markets to different pages and pick up the relevant information for them to make decisions with.
Your web site is more than a brochure and you need to keep that in mind when you think about your web site.
To start getting it right for your business, think of 5 things you think are most effective about your biggest competitors website.
How could you implement those elements in your web site? What content will you use? What graphics and what other ways will you make your website more user friendly.
Roberta
Simplifier, Presenter, Mentor
Organize, Collaborate and Lead
You have 2 main strategies for business. You can lead or you can follow.
Now social media would have you follow everyone but if you look at the ones with the most followers, they follow almost no one.
In order to lead, you have to be organized first and foremost. That means you need to know what you are doing and how you will move forward. You need to know your purpose and develop clear related goals. If you work to a goal, it becomes simple to organize your actions to move forward.
And collaboration is the way forward in this world. No business can operate without other businesses and it is critical that you choose businesses to work with. You need to look for businesses that offer you the following support:
- feedback – constructive criticism is essential
- Suggestions – no business owner knows everything so ideas and information are essential to move forward
- Networks – one thing absolutely essential today is who you know. And who do they know and who do they know. And will they recommend your business
- A shoulder to cry on and a crowd to cheer successes.
In planning business success figure out how you can lead. Then organize yourself to lead. And finally collaborate so that you have the support and the influence to lead. Making a difference means being different.
Is this easy to do. Sometimes!
But success comes to those who are brave, steadfast and aware.
Roberta
Simplifier, Presenter, Mentor
#19 Making the numbers
Yesterday you did sales projections based on the research in earlier sessions.
Today you will undertake the hardest session of this series.
Looking at each price point you chose yesterday - you will get specific about who will pay that price for your product or service. You need to answer 4 questions.
- Why would they buy your product or service at that price. This means matching the want with the pricing
- Where will they find out about your product or service. And if you say the internet then get really specific about where and how they will get to see your offering on the internet
- What do you need to do to get your prospect to take action once they find you. Remember you buyer experience map. This is the first stage only now you are being specific to your product or service.
- When will they find your offering. Morning, noon, night, during working hours, after hours or will something special need to happen for them to find you.
Roberta
Simplifier, Presenter, Mentor
This blog is part of the 30 minutes 4 30 days successful business start-up
#10 Networking and Networlding
Now you have one contact list. If you use LinkedIn, you know that one of the benefits of linking with someone is that you also link to their network.
So today, take the time to look at your network and who your network links to. Look carefully for people who might want your skill or service.
And what is networlding? Networlding is a way of using social media to build introductions not just referrals. It helps business grow by working at a different level of networking.
Identify your networks and how they fit into your prospects. Discount nothing. More successful businesses have been built because of church, school and community organisations than any other way of building business.
Who you network and networld with is important. And if you are not networking yet, look at where you would like to get involved.
Its a big world out there. Go see who is there. Oh and make sure you join only because you are willing to be involved with the group. If you join to get something only, you will be unsuccessful in building relationships. And relationships are key to business success.
Roberta
Simplifier, Presenter, Mentor
This blog is part of the 30 minutes 4 30 days successful business start-up
#9 Your contacts
When you join a Network or MultiLevel Marketing company like Amway, Herbalife or any of the
millions of others the first thing you are told is write down a list of all the people you know so you can share with them your wonderful new opportuntiy.
When one becomes an agent in real estate, insurance, financial planning and other similar fields, the first things you do is make a list of all the people you know who might be interested in what you are selling.
Well when you start a business, the same thing is true but not just because they might want to buy your product or service but because they might be referral sources to buy your product or service.
You strategy in business will differ depending on the number of people you know and who know you. One key cause of failure in business is the owner’s reluctance to ask their contacts to to buy.
So make a list – create your database and sort, qualify and make notes. Oh and if databases and the thought of using one scares you – just make a list and make notes but make sure that you have the following information current and correct:
First name, Last name,
email addresses
phone number and cell phone number.
You can then add company, position, Social media contact, address, family and hobbies.
Have fun looking at your contacts and what you know about them.
Roberta
Simplifier, Presenter, Mentor
This blog is part of the 30 minutes 4 30 days successful business start-up
Maven Connect
CommentLUV
Guest Blogging with Jon Morrow
