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Internet Solutions to
- Grow Your business
- Save Time
- Save Money
- Keep It Simple
What We Do:
Health Care Sites
Real Estate Sites
- Jebb & Driggin, Boston, MA
- PDF Realty, Elk Grove, CA
- Marilyn Goff, El Dorado Hills, CA
- Pat Seide, El Dorado Hills, CA
- Lee Shapiro, Concord, CA
- Central Valley Association of REALTORS®
- Mary Margaretich, Nevada County, CA
- Thompson + Brown, Antelope, CA
- Pat Seide, El Dorado Hills, CA
Small Business Sites
Associations' Sites
Legal Related Sites
Website Marketing for Small Business
We believe in keeping it simple -- the following is what we use when designing a site. These are questions that you should ask yourself before talking to a website designer.
Step-by-Step Needs Analysis:
What is the purpose of my new web site?
Some examples might be:
- Get leads
- Develop long term relationships with current and future customers (AKA "Lender for Life" or "Agent for Life" etc.)
- Counter my competition on the internet
- Develop a new way of marketing
Who is my audience? (This is ultra important):
- Who do I want to walk through the door of my office or call me for information?
Competitive Research: Go see what the competition is doing.
Log on to the internet and start searching for competitive business sites in your area -- do it as if you were new to the area and knew nothing about your location. Yahoo.com lists hundreds of sites--some good, some bad and some 'stinko'. Use search phrases prospects might use to find businesses like yours. Take the time to look over the sites completely -- every page. Think about what makes a difference to your customers and see if these sites are of benefit to them -- that is all that matters.
Also note whether these sites serve the owner of the site. Do the links lead visitors away from the site (like links to the BBB, etc)? Is there an easy way for prospects to contact the owner of the site or do you have to search for a form or email link?
While you are doing this research, bookmark or write down the sites you like so you can show them to your website designer. Even better, print out some of the pages and make notes so that you won't forget. Also be sure to note the things that you dislike or find annoying so that you can eliminate them from your new site.
Consider Domain Names: (How will the name you choose appear to a browser and how hard is it to remember and to type out?)
Measurement of Success:
Make sure you write down what your expectations are for your site. What will make it a success in your eyes and what will make it a failure? You need to see this in writing and talk to your web designer about it. There are many misconceptions about what a web site can and cannot do for you.
Decide on how you will measure the value to you of a visitor to your website:
- This article, "What is the value of a visitor to your site?" may give you some ideas.
Do You Have Absolute Ideas About the Look and Feel of Your Site?
- What graphic looks do you especially like?
- What colors do you like (make sure your web designer understands "Web Safe Colors" or that pretty gold you like can end up looking gruesome on some computers.)
- What content do you want on the site to set yourself apart from the competition?
- Do you have all of the content that you want written in the first person? (Beware of "brochure speak" which is usually in the third person.)
- Will you be satisfied with a "flyer" page or a template site that advertises other agents and lenders?
- Do you want a site that can be built in modules so that you can spread out the cost over time and keep your site fresh and updated?
The above steps will help you get your money's worth when you put up your first website online or upgrade your present site to a second or third generation website.