Dan’s Surfing Snippets

Some people feel that if they have a website they can kick up their feet on their desk, fold their hands behind their head and wait for the big bucks to just roll in.

You might just as well go back to playing the Lottery.

 

Nothing can replace hard work and sound business judgment. There is no easy fix. Advertising and getting your word out is always important, especially in hard times.

A well designed website can increase sales and recognition for your organization or company, especially if it has been properly Search Engine Optimized and Registered.

 

Let’s look at advertising as a pie and the website as a slice in that pie. However, this piece of the pie has been growing larger and more important. Years ago a business was not considered credible if it didn’t have a fax machine. Then it was an email address. Now it is a website.  It is important for even small businesses to have a website presence. A website also gives every size business the same opportunity.

The same level playing ground.

 

The factors that contribute to success are not only credibility but also communication. A well-structured, well-designed website can be the communication focus of your organization; bringing people together more quickly by sharing more quality information than ever before. It can also save “non-cash-flow” time.

 

Take the hiring process as an example. The old way was to place an ad in the daily paper. This process would create the scenario of finding numerous applicants at your door; some of them fitting the categories of over-qualified and under-qualified. The form is completed in long hand. There are many questions and answers from the applicants, and other items to deal with all of which wastes a lot of time. This type of application process is very time consuming.

 

The more effective way is to utilize your organization website. You still place the ad but do not have a phone number or street address only the website address.  Therefore, applicants are directed to the website’s “Career Opportunities” button and a page that would describe the opening position(s) with a form for them to fill out online.  The completed form is sent via email to the appropriate person in your organization who receives the printed application(s). At the time of their choosing he/she can review these applications and call in only those they feel would be appropriate for an interview. This saves an enormous amount of time.

 

The latest stats I heard was that 86% of both individuals and companies, in need of  a particular product or service, look first on the Internet. If you don’t have a website you are being passed by. Can you afford not having this piece of the pie?

-

There are many ways to grow a business. Most follow the advertising mode to marketing which can be very costly and is not always effective. However, networking has proven itself to be extremely cost effective throughout history.

 

Remember the old adage, “It’s not what you know but who you know.” Many deals have been made in smoke filled rooms by members of the “in crowd.”

 

Certainly, this still goes on but this method is readily available to each and every one of us. Of course, it comes with a price. Although the cost, in most cases, is nominal, the real price is in your time. To be an effective networker you have to do your homework by learning and mastering the process and follow the proven procedures for success.

 

It’s not about leads…you can go to the phonebook for that. Modern networking has to do with passing referrals. Qualified business referrals are quite different from leads. A lead is more like a suggestion with no real contact information or history.

 

A referral means first that I have a close business relationship with “A”, who trusts and has a bond with me. In a conversation with “A” I discover that “A” has a need. I know “B” who I also trust and can supply that need. I ask “A” if he/she would like to talk with “B” and is it alright for “B” to contact “A”. A agrees. I then contact “B” that I have a referral “A”. When A and B meet, the bonding and trust that “A” has with me is transferred to “B”. “B” closes the deal and “A” is happy to do business with “B”. This also builds “A’s” trust in me for taking the time to help.

 

That’s how the exchange works but first you have to join networking groups to meet people and build long standing relationships so others have trust and confidence in you and your organization. To build these relationships I’ll give three examples of different types of networking which are all a must:

 

1. Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce: (nominal annual fee) A good start to attend networking events, get exposure and meet business people on an informal basis. http://www.daytonchamber.org/
2. LinkedIn.com: (free) Using the power of the internet to get connected, build a sphere of influence and make contacts using your sphere for introductions. http://www.linkedin.com/
3. BNI (Business Network International, Metro Dayton Chapter): (annual fee) For those very serious about networking. You must commit to attend weekly meetings. Only one allowed per industry so your competitors are locked out. This is a tremendous plus that the other two examples do not have. A time-tested way to build trust and long-standing relationships. Others in your chapter get to know you so they can give you quality referrals. However, it is a giver-gain mentality not the other way around. It’s like planting seeds: The more you plant the more you reap. The better the seed the better the harvest. http://www.bni-referrals.com/  

It certainly takes time and effort and a little bit of cash to network properly but you cannot deny the benefits. Larger companies that have the seen the “vision” and “get it” assign several key employees to different networking chapters to leverage this phenomenon. I believe that this form of networking is the key to unlocking a wealth of business opportunities. Don’t let it pass you by. Get out there and network!

 

Spiritual Gifts Website Design

I surf the web often and am amazed at the many sites that are “too busy” and filled with clutter, clutter and more clutter.

 

On some, you can’t figure out what they are selling or promoting. What has become of basic communication?

 

The point of any website should be to attract the viewer, keep them on your website long enough for them to take action… purchase a product, get the info you want them to have, increase the public’s perception of you, your organization or company; fill out a contact form or email you. This is basically similar to advertisement in the print media. The advertisers are looking to inform you with enough information so that you take action, culminating in results (calls, increased sales, etc.).

 

To do this you need focus not clutter. When a viewer first opens the Home Page they should be able to tell exactly what it is all about in a relatively short period of time. If it’s not what they are looking for they can quickly opt out or if it has interest to them they can continue. The site information should be clearly presented in simple, ordinary language.

 

There should be a focal point to direct the viewer’s eye to what you want them to see first….your main point. Having several focal points scatters and deludes the main message. Things should flow in a pre-defined sequence. This is crucial to making your point(s).

 

The Home Page text is the most important because this is the first entry to your website. It should be written as a strategic overview of what your company or organization has to offer. How can you benefit your viewer? It should have a clear Introduction, Body and Conclusion. On many sites you see an unstructured scattering of text and images with the feeling that “we’ll throw everything out there and see what sticks!” Please, don’t be so hard on the viewing public. Allow them the opportunity to understand what you have to offer in a clear manner and if you really do have something of interest, they will take action and support you.

 

The overall look and feel should be pleasant to the eye so choice of colors and fonts are important. Stay away from the “Vacuum Cleaner Salesman Mentality.” I do not mean to demean this industry but use this as an example of extra large red type to catch one’s attention. A business website should not be “in your face” but have a certain dignity to it. Your services and/or products should be presented in a calm and clear fashion.

 

Lastly, the navigation menu should be simply presented and easy to navigate. I am not sure why some websites continue to have multiple navigation menus and/or make it so cumbersome for viewers to get from page A to page B, and as a result they encounter difficulty in getting back to the Home Page! I like websites that makes the viewer experience an easy one where they are always one click away from any page at any time. A poorly designed navigation structure takes away from the original focus of the website…eliciting action from the viewer…to one of survival and keeping track of where they are, where they have been and where they are going. You might as well supply viewers with a GPS system!

 

Spiritual Gifts Website Design