You Can Look Now!

May 13 2010

For years now I’ve been telling clients and prospects NOT to look at our Web site as an example of the work we do. I know, I know, I know – everything we do is an example of the work we do – I get it. It’s just that dedicating the time to make the necessary improvements – always seemed to hover right around the bottom of the “to-do” list. Anyway – we’ve officially launched our new Web site and I want to share with you things you should keep top-of-mind when you choose to update your site. 1. It takes WAY more time than you may think We’ve all been there. Hmmmm, I think we need a new Web site – can someone on the team pick that up in-between projects? A lot goes into creating a good Web site – researching the audience needs, appropriate site mapping, content creation, design and layout, color schemes, clean code and testing – lots and lots of testing. It’s not a spare-time project. If it’s a priority – and web is a priority in today’s world – dedicate the resources to make it a priority. 2. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Meta Tags are important If you count on someone searching the internet for a topic that relates to what you have to offer – you need to know what will make them “click” on your site and be positioned so they do. Are you on the 30^th page back from a search or do you come up on the first page? Properly optimizing your site for search engine use – using the most appropriate keywords and phrases, having good links in and out of your site, and keeping navigation simple and clean can position your institution in the search results to get that “click.” 3. Know your audience and your objective Your site needs to be optimized for the end user. A site can be designed beautifully by those to whom it belongs, but if it doesn’t interest or fit the needs of who you’re trying to get to use it or deliver on your objectives – it’s a complete waste of time and money. 4. It lives! A Web site is not a printed brochure; it’s a living thing that must be interactive, provide an experience, share knowledge, tell people who you are and be crisp. This means you must dedicate resources to regularly update the content. Otherwise – why would anyone visit it more than once? There are many more things to consider when creating or optimizing a Web site, but most of it falls under these areas. So, go ahead and kick the tires, take a look, and let me know what you think. This is, after all, a living thing and we will be updating it frequently.