Newest Web Site Launch

After working so hard on a web site, usually for weeks or sometimes months, it feels strange to launch a site and actually let it go. But, what a sense of accomplishment.

My newest launch, Kingdom Kids Childcare of Erie, PA, went live on Monday. It's a site I really enjoyed working on. Annie, Valissa and Shawn are the nicest people to work with and really care about kids.

Here's to small businesses working together, especially in these rough times.

Emphasizing Your Customer

I can't tell you how many web sites or printed advertising materials I have seen that completely miss the point of advertising in the first place. We see a picture of the building, the company owner, read a history of the business, etc. But very little time is spent the most important aspect - letting the customer know the benefits they will receive by using the company product or service.

Most people have very little time these days. You have a few seconds at best to capture their attention and let them know how you can solve a problem for them. For example, see the differences in the following:

First: "Our company has been making energy efficient windows for over 25 years."

Second: "Save money by replacing your old windows with new energy efficient windows."

The second catches the reader's attention by letting them know exactly why they benefit from buying energy efficient windows from you.

When designing any kind of advertising material, be sure to emphasize the benefit to the customer first.

How NOT To Gain Trust Through Your Web Site

I came across an interesting web design company web site this morning. I won't give the name or url, but this company has a web site that raises all kinds of red flags, were I looking for a web development company. The home page is attractive, albeit not designed for search engine optimization. There is not a lot of information on the home page so I clicked on a link at the bottom of the page that was entitled "CMS Web Design". That page however, is a form, asking for your name and email. In return you get free information about the "secrets" of web site design. OK, not what I wanted to know, so I go back to the home page and click on the "Professional Web Design" link. And, guess what? It takes you to the same form. I go back to the home page and click on all the links at the bottom. They all go to the same form. Whoa! This is a huge problem. This company has given very little information about itself but asks that you provide them with a name and email address? Not to mention the fact that the home page was obviously designed to trick search engines into listing it higher.

The point is, you have to give information to your web site visitors and potential customers that will make you seem real to them. Be honest. Do not "hard sell" or demand contact information. Trust is something that should be built upon from the first.