Biggest Website mistakes companies make
Posted on Sep 13, 2007 by
Paul WhiteOver the years I have met
business owners, that just don't get it.
These businesses seem to think its ok to spend thousands on print
advertising, but when it comes time to build a good website, they don't
see the value. Houston in general is notorious for having lots of
businesses that are poorly run and managed. Its a fast money town.
Too many businesses can't look past the coming weekend. Here are some
of the biggest mistakes I have seen businesses make with their website.
1. Even though they have their own domain ( mycompany.com ), They still
use their yahoo, AOL, hotmail, gmail email accounts for buisiness. The
worst of these is AOL. It is well known throughout the development
world that AOL users are the most computer handicaped. When you use a
free email address or even worse an AOL email, it makes you look like
an old dog that can't learn new tricks. Ask any IT pro, and developer
about AOL. Their response won't be positive. Get an email with your
own domainname. It looks better for your
business.
2. Don't focus on price. Everyday I get emails through my website,
asking about how much it costs to build a website. It just doesn't
work that way. The best
websites don't come "in a box". They are
custom designed for the client's needs. Asking me how much a
websites
costs is like asking me how much does a house cost. It can vary in
size, scale and function. If you want a static website these can cost
a few hundred dollars. If you want a dynamic website be prepared to
spend a few grand at least. Good
websites don't come cheep. If you
want a developer to take you seriously tell them what
business you are
in. What functions you need the site todo. If you have questions feel
free to ask. Developers don't expect you to know everything, and are
more than willing to teach you what you need to know to understand how
your
websites works, and how to manage it.
3. No one can put you at the top of the search engines! Don't listen
to anyone that tells you this. They will try to do it through means
that will result in your website getting banned by Google. If you want
to get better ranking on google you are going to have to do this on
your own. Your Developer can teach you how its done, and it may take
years of building links to make it happen.
4. Keep in mind perception is reality. It doesn't matter if your
business is well run and serves the customer. If your website doesn't
look good. You don't look good. This is especially important for
businesses that rely on tourists. Often these customers will look up
online to see whats in town. Even if they find your website, if it
looks bad, they will go else where. Its all about the presentation.
Companies like Gucci, and Lexus, are able to sell their products for a
permium because they have already put the image in the customer's mind
that they are getting a good product from a good company. People pay
more for image than do for the actual product. If you can built a
website that give the image of a good company. You will attract a
higher end customer, that isn't price shopping, but is looking for the
service of a good company. This is the reason companies like Apple,
Lexus, Toyota, continue to do well. While companies like GM, Dell,
Ford are loosing. It doesn't matter how great your product is. Its
all about image.
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