2011 It's Time for a Web Site Review!

Hello Friends,

With a new year just around a corner it’s time to review your website.

In October, we discussed the web site statistics that are available from your web hosting provider. This information told you how many people have been visiting your site and which pages they checked out. I invite you to dust off your web site statistics and take a look. If you are content with the quantity and quality of visits then read no more – we can talk in January.

Any of you left?

Let’s make the most out of the visitors that are already coming to your site and then you will be ready to improve your online marketing. Ready?

Let’s go to Google and find your web site. I want you to start @ Google (any search engine would work) to make sure you could be found if people don’t know your web site address. Enter “your company name” in the search box and click “search”. Find your business and click on it. If you aren’t there, we need to talk!! Side note: Google has a new “Instant Preview” You can click on the magnifying glass to take a peek at your website. You can learn more about this @ http://omoriginals.com/2010/11/google-is-it-again/.

As soon as a visitor clicks on your homepage you have 30 seconds or less to catch their attention. That’s because the average web site visit is less than 30 seconds…..Tick. Tock.

Here is a quick checklist to make the most of the visits you are getting:

1) Professionalism: Is your Logo/Company name professionally and prominently displayed? Are you impressed with your site?

2) What you Do: Are you clearly outlining what you do (your services) with links to learn more? Be sure to also include the regional area you service. This is VERY important for visitors and the search engines.

3) Who you Are: Assume that visitors have never heard of your company. Make sure you are putting your best foot forward. Educate them.

4) Call to action – Do you have a compelling offer or invitation for your visitor to do something? For example, Buy Something, Sign-up for eMail newsletter, Contact you, download a free report or any other value you can offer. > Check up on this page. Is it working? Are people clicking on this (check those web stats). Why or Why not? Is your offer still a good value? Consider changing your offer.

5) Fresh News – Here is a multiple choice test for you. If you have news to share should you publish it on; A) Your BLOG, B) Facebook, C) Twitter, D) LinkedIn, or in an E) eMail newsletter? If you know me, the answer is easy – “YES!, all of the above. ~:-) It takes a lot of work to create content so be sure to publish it efficiently and to as many eyes as possible.

6) Don’t make them scroll. All of your important stuff should be visible above “the fold”. Meaning they should be able to see it without scrolling. Scrolling vertically is ok, but make sure the 4 things aren’t buried. If they have to scroll to find stuff, they will won’t.

7) The death of Flash. Flash is a cool technology from Adobe. You can create beautiful slideshows and add some interesting interactivity to your site, but flash has two major issues that may lead to its demise.
a) Most mobile users can’t view Flash.
b) Search engines don’t really know what to do with Flash content (they are still working on this).

Ask your web site developer about alternatives to flash. Speaking of flash and mobile devices. How does your site look on a mobile phone? Note to omOriginals clients: We have a dynamic and affordable way to create a mobile version of your existing site. Contact us for the geeky details and pricing. ~:-)

WOW: We just made your site better to serve your visitors (and you). I encourage you to get on the line with your favorite webmaster and/or online marketer and to plan for a more prosperous new year. Work Smart and Play Hard in 2011!

Oscar Myre IV is the owner and Creativity Director at omOriginals Marketing in Longview, WA. He spends his free time playing with his family, running the lake or checking out new and splendiferously geeky toys. If you have questions regarding your web site, please call him @ 360-575-9839 or online: omOriginals.com

Facebook Unveiled

This month I’d like to give you a peek into Facebook’s user data.. Facebook is doing an amazing job of collecting tons of personal data about it’s users. With over 400 million users the amount of data is mind boggling. First off how are they getting this info?
Read more >>