Our office is located in a small town – one of those small towns that has been around since the Wild Wild West and lists gold panning as one of its major tourist attractions. Recently I’ve noticed the massive presence of corporate chains invading and threatening some of the mom-and-pop shops that have been around for years.
Thankfully they’re not all gone. Salons, restaurants, dental offices (for some reason we have a TON of dentists) – small businesses are still successful even in this downtrodden economy.
Let me qualify that last statement, because in truth there are TWO major definitions of “success” for small business in 2011: treading water versus actually excelling. Though many of us [because we are a small business too] are still treading water and after some practice getting pretty good at it, some bricks and mortar businesses are excelling because they have adopted inbound marketing practices and expanded their presence to the World Wide Web.
What Makes a “Good” Website?
Hint: It might not be what you think.
It used to be that animation and gadgets made a website “good” but we’re noticing that the definition of “good” in terms of web development has changed. Now the trend leans more towards organic websites that are functional and contain valuable information that a prospect might be looking for. The key is to be more user-friendly than eye-catching.
Don’t Like Social Media? Too Bad.
Finding that your personal opinion of social media has kept your business from getting involved? Don’t let you get in the way of a better, more forward marketing strategy!
We understand that some entrepreneurs out there choose not to get their business active on social media platforms because they don’t like them. Maybe they’re just TOO popular. Maybe you don’t like the idea of implementing something your kids use for your business.
Fine. You are more than welcome to have that opinion. However, you cannot let that opinion keep you from utilizing the completely free, and super powerful tool that is social media to promote your business. You are potentially turning away hundreds, if not thousands of customers every day that you are not active on the major platforms [Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Blogging].
How Often You Should Re-Evaluate Your Site Goals
It happens all the time! You start a brand new website based on a well thought out business plan or set of goals. Yet as you become more experienced and aware of the online terrain, you realize that your original mission has actually changed. Or perhaps that your website isn’t making the kind of money they you had projected it would.
Consistent re-evaluation is a great way to tweak your website so that it keeps up with your goals, or visa versa.
Avoid These 5 Common Web Design Mistakes
While designing your website you’ll want make it as user and search engine friendly as possible. Let’s set aside the quality of content for now and focus on your website’s look and interface. A website that is easy to read, pleasing to the eye, and simple to navigate will attract more users.
However, amidst all of the advice you’ll find on the Internet about web design…
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