Back to basics

by Peter Barta

Whilst we have been through the so called tech-crash, the Internet continues to grow and it is rare these days to find a business without a web site or a person who has not got some form of Internet connection either at home or at work.

The Internet is used as a product/service evaluation medium, information source and a sales channel by consumers whilst businesses use it for promotion, e-commerce and sales generation to name but a few.

So, lets get down to some key principles. Most businesses, particularly smaller ones need to maximize the effectiveness of their existing resources to get the most out of what they have. That includes a web site if you they have one.

I think it would be difficult for most business people to disagree with the above proposition.

But, if you have an existing Web Site ask yourself the following questions;

These are the questions you should be asking yourself and if you find you cannot answer them effectively, you have a resource there that is probably under utilized.

Tip: Decide what your objective is in having a web site and then design or modify it appropriately. If your site is designed as a prospecting and lead generation tool, how does it achieve this? Is there a request for information form?

If you own a shop then part of your strategy is to maximize store traffic and general buyer enquiries. Similarly your web site should be doing the same thing so the following questions need to be asked;

Tip: Your web site should work for your business. After all it is a primary channel of communication this day and age and should be drawing prospective customers to you. The tip is to develop the site into a lead generator rather than just another form of brochure.

Think marketing, not technology. The technology can be looked after and unless you are after something quite complex, most solutions to technology questions can be found without being a rocket scientist.

Think applications like:

Asking these questions may get you thinking about what your site may or may not be doing for your business so we feel it is a very necessary first step.