3 Reasons Why Business Web Sites Fail

 Web Sites Distracts Businesses



Businesses without web sites lose money.

Do you believe that?


Internet marketers believe that every business with a web site increase the possibility of additional revenue.  They say this even when it’s not self serving.

The theory is that a web site allows anyone anywhere to access your business allowing instant expansion and potential profit generation.  But is that what really happens?


No...

That's a myth.  There is too much proof to the contrary.  For the vast majority of traditional businesses with an online presence in the form of their own business web site is a disappointment.  The level of satisfaction varies by industry but usually expectations are unmet. There are literally millions of business websites online today that provide no value to the respective businesses.
 
The truth is that many businesses are not ready for the internet. More precisely many business owners are not familiar enough with the internet to know what works and what doesn’t work.  Most business owners are too busy to specialize in internet marketing.  Establishing a profitable online presence requires a lot more than having a web site built. The fact is that marketing a website begins before the site is actually built.

Puttting The Cart before the Horse Never Works.  

Web designers are not internet marketers. Web designers build web sites.  They use precise, attractive graphics strategically placed to awe site visitors.  Their priority is the look and feel of the site, its layout and navigation.  The word is “presentation” its impressive affect on the visitor.  Once accepted the web site becomes the property of the business owner or business.  Therein lies...

The Problem  

What most business owners or corporate managers know about online marketing can probably fit into a thimble.  Even if they have some online
marketing experience they must now market a site that was not designed for marketing.  They may even become very good at driving traffic their site by using paid sources but with no business model or conversion strategy it’s just a matter of time before they let the site fend for itself. .  . 
Brochure web sites are as effective as traditional offline brochures.  Brochures employ a push marketing strategy as opposed to creating a pull strategy by optimizing the site before it is built. . .

The three main reasons that business  web sites fail are:

1.     Building a web site with “establishing a web presence” as the primary purpose.

2.     Inability to or neglect to include marketing in the site building process. Ususally happens when the designer has no internet marketing skills.  

3.     Appreciating that Internet marketing is NOT an event but a process.

The ideal solution is for the business owner to learn internet marketing prior to building a web site.  This may seem like the most obvious thing to do but the cost in time makes it more profitable for the owners and managers to focus on its core business. Fortunately everything you need to know about internet marketing is already online. 

For businesses that already have a web site it may require some sort of makeover to introduce a working business model.  Here again the information is on the web but each business is different and it is recommended that you work with someone with internet marketing skills.  You may simply need a plan that includes an business model and an internet strategy to meet your sales goals.

The least desirable but most efficient solution is for  business owners to seek consultation/coaching with internet marketing experts to build or modify the site.  This option is least desirable because it does require an investment. This is an investment that can produce returns repeatedly.  Businesses tend to look at the overall capital outlay and the need for an internet marketer on a contractual basis or on the payroll is not something they are willing to do. 

The ultimate solution is to get everything at a fixed cost where it will require very little time on the part of the business to maintain the profitability of their web site and know that all their customers are contacted on a regular basis.  To have a fixed cost that provides support small businesses ti engage their clients with online expertise that takes years of learning to develop.

Imagine using state-of-the-are marketing tools to convert more leads, boost sales and save time; automatically.

Automatic is the functional word here because business owners and staff can continue to do what they do best while their web site is generating profits or leads 24/7.

This leading sales and marketing software was developed for small businesses with a list of clients that may be already dormant.  It combines CRM, email marketing and e-commerce tools together into one system.

Thinking about building a web site or have a site that is not working?  Take a look at a free demonstration on how this software works.  It can really save time and years of learning.

 View Demo Here

22 Compelling, Profit Pulling Reasons To Build A Business Website

Combine Them To Create A Unique Online Business Model

A website without a business model is like a picture on a wall. Everyone can view it and even see some details but it's valuable only to the owner. Choosing the right business model will determine the success or failure of any business website.

So what is a business model?   

According to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia

“A business model describes the rationale of how an organization creates, delivers, and captures value - economic, social, or other forms of value. The term business model is thus used for a broad range of informal and formal descriptions to represent core aspects of a business, including purpose, offerings, strategies, infrastructure, organizational structures, trading practices, and operational processes and policies.”

As you can see a business model consist of a number of processes. Let’s crystallize that long definition into 5 practical questions that if answered would give you the basis for your online strategy:

• Why are you on the web?


• Who are you targeting?


• What are you willing to give?


• What do you expect to get?


• How are you going to do it?

Here are 22 reasons why every business should build a website Click Here

Web Designers, Web Developers; Are they the same?

Understanding The Internet By Understanding What People Do

To the a newbie, a web designer and a web developer are one and the same. When you understand what they do then you will understand the difference.

A web designer creates websites, they organize your information, create page lay outs. They put the client’s ideas based on the information they are provided to provide an online electronic picture. There goal is always to represent the clients’ ideas and to be aesthetically pleasing as possible.

Web designers must be able to…

:: Layout web pages using HTML, XHTML, XML, and other languages
:: Use HTML (hand code), JavaScript and CSS
:: Represent client’s ideas, needs and expectations on a web page.
:: Develop simple navigation elements (such as navigation bars)
:: Use design tools such as Photoshop
:: Fit into a web development team
:: Create Flash and animated programs
:: Understand and implement web standards
:: Understands Search Engine Optimization

Some web designers understand basic theories of Internet marketing but they are usually not versed in to any great degree in the nuance of marketing online. It is not a requirement for web design. Web designers are usually a one man show. However, because of the nature of web design a good designer should have skills that overlap with that of a web developer.

In an earlier post we examined some of the available web designers offering their services in the Trinidad Express. Check out that post here.

What does a web developer do?

A web developer also design websites but they do much more. Developers are more focused on high end complex websites that require a team of web designers to complete a project. As a rule most large corporations only do business with web developers although in developing countries some large corporation still engage individual designers.

A web developer functions include getting his team to take a site from concept, including layout, appearance and functionality for the target audience. Their goal is to make the layout as simple as possible yet sophisticated enough to attract the targeted prospect. Other functions or team members required to develop an effective ecommerce site are…

• E-commerce strategy manager
• Web programmer
• Interface designer
• Product development manager
• Web producer
• Website security administrator
• Content developer

There are many mistakes a business owner can make in developing ar web presence. Avoiding this One is easy, now that you know the difference. If you still do not have a web site. Do you think you need a designer or a developer?

Is Your Business Web site Useless?

"If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." Albert Einstein


Ogosh man; that question is so insensitive.

Ok, I’m sorry I asked it like that but I just wanted to get straight to the point, not to beat around the bush. In reality beating around the bushes is safer because what’s in the bush is unknown.

The tactful, indirect approach is more likeable because it appears more sensitive, unassuming and compassionate. All enduring qualities I’m sure but in the end its fluff and no substance. To get to the truth you need hard questions.

This blog will carry a series of posts focusing on business web sites in Trinidad and Tobago. We want to drill down into what it takes to build, market and maintain a professional web presence that is actually a business profit center. We want to discuss your experience, not mine, therefore your participation is required. You will get out of it what you are willing to put into it; nothing more or less.

The question is sincere and honest because your web site could be useless.

The fact is that very few business people give their web site a second thought once it’s launched. The reason is simple, they believe that because there are millions of people on the web, when a website is launched anyone can visit. True. In fact they imagine that their customers will be the first to find them. Not true, sadly a web site is not something that you build and they come. Marketing your site MUST BEGIN BEFORE it’s built, NOT AFTER.

Now, do you see the point of my question?

Answer 3 more questions about your business web site.

Be honest with yourself, if you have a site and you were instrumental in building it. Share the answers to the questions only if it’s not embarrassing. Get help if you need it because web sites, unlike wine, do not get better with age. Without marketing, it can only get worse. The questions are:

1.What is or was the purpose for your site when you built it? Don’t say just to make money that is the universal purpose of every business web site. Here’s a hint; if you do not have a shopping cart or pay pal button on your site then you are attempting to make money indirectly. But do you have any marketing tools on your site? Share or think about the purpose of your site.

2.Directly related to your site’s purpose is its business model. Do you use a business model on your site? If your site is made up of a series of pages about you, your product and directions to your store that is not considered a business model. By the way, having a contact page rarely generates inquiries. The internet is not the yellow pages and have you noticed that you don't need the yellow pages anymore, even here in Trinidad.

3.Do you, or is someone under your responsibility, tracking your site metrics? One of the best features of the internet is that everything can be tracked and linked back to someone or some site. If you do not know where your visitors are coming from how will you get more or know if people are even visiting your site?

Ok the answers to you might be a bit troubling. If you do not like the answers you come up with to any of those questions, its ok, you know how misery likes company. The internet is full of sites like yours because many other sites owners are doing exactly as you are.

Web designer do not talk much about what happens AFTER your site is launched because if they did you would probably have opted to leave the internet alone.

I’m here to help. If you are stuck on any of the questions just make a comment.

Again, I’m here to help you, at least to point you in a direction where you might get answers. This is a two way street, if the questions I asked are not what you are concerned about, then ask your own questions.

Tell me what you will like to see me write about. Even if you are in the thinking stage; ask.

I will respond to any and all questions that relate to your web site marketability or establishing your web presence.

This is an invitation to a conversation. Monologues are boring.

If you own a website but not satisfied with its performance, contact me.

If you are thinking of establishing a web presence and need some direction, contact me.

Or, just make a comment, private mail me. I will respond to each and every question in the same format in which it was asked.

If you wish, I will do a quick evaluation of your site and provide you feed back on any areas that, in my opinion, can be improved.

Please, do not take this offer if you believe that your site is perfect and cannot be improved.

The floor is all yours now.