Article Review: Blunt Advice for a Successful Website

Posted by Virginia in News & Business Ideas, Website Tips on February 6, 2009 | no responses

A review on the Biznik.com article “Blunt Advice for a Successful Website” by Brent Haeseker

I’m not sure I agree that this is “Blunt Advice” as it is common sense for instructing your web developer. Below is our review. The bolded items are the the author’s headings.

“You’re Not as Clever as You Think”

Analyze your web-based and non-web-based competitors. Write a quick list of what they are doing right and wrong. How would it apply to your company? Would it fulfill your business objective? If so, ask for it to be implemented on your website. If it looks nice, but doesn’t fulfill a business goal, rethink using it.

IT Departments Still Aren’t Marketing Departments

Make sure you have a team (whether an internal IT person, internal web designer or a hired web developer) to maintain the website. This is where it’s important to plan and ask who will be equipped to update the website. Knowing this question will also help guide what kind of website technology to use. But I agree again with the author, the website should be looked at as Sales tool, Marketing tool and Customer Service tool. Often times IT departments don’t have the same vision to achieve these goals. Also don’t step on their toes as they might have great ideas to contribute.

“What’s the Plan, Stan,” “A Head in the Sky Can Lead to Cloudy Vision” and “Your Website is Not For You”

I agree with this advice. Don’t make a website based SOLELY out of your vision. I always say to clients, don’t make a site just to have one! What are the business goals behind the website project? How do you want your website to grow? An excellent webdesigner will walk you through an analysis of how to do this. You should not be alone in creating a well thought out plan.

Click here to Read Brent Haeseker entire article