In need of a refresh? Website: 10.22.10

By: Samantha Noble, Marketing Manager

Gen Y often doesn’t think about technological tools, such as the internet, as a new discovery.  To us, the internet has always been a lifestyle. We not only use it, but we KNOW everything about it. Or do we?  Is that even possible?

On the internet, there is an easy, non-complex tool, often used for company purposes, called a website (by now, you should sense my sarcasm). Whether you are a one-person show working out of your house, or a 3 billion dollar corporation, you most likely have an http address. So anyone can start one then, right? It truly is that simple. First, select a website template by simply searching Google for “website host.”  With only 85,900,000 companies to choose from, it should only take you 10 years to discover the optimal designer for your site. Perfect. In the midst of your search, questions arise such as how much should I pay for this? What kind of design should it have? How do we make our website look better than our competitor? Yikes! Where do I start?!

After recently completing a website refresh project for Retail Tech, I asked myself similar questions. Aside from having minimal internet presence, we needed to focus our marketing efforts on brand awareness, as do most small companies. What better place to start than our company website? Not only did I want our new website to mirror our image, I wanted it to be comprehensive and informational to both current and prospective customers.  Being a small, point-of-sale company, having an effective site allows us to expand our reach globally. In planning, the overall idea of the design was to keep it clear, precise, and professional. I am excited to say that my designer and I made this happen. While never having done a project like this before, I would like to pass on some advice to you:

In regard to the overall project, I say to you, SIMPLIFY. First, create a plan with a realistic budget. Next, decide ahead of time what appearance you want to portray. Whether this is your first go, or you are updating a pre-existing page, meet with a few different website companies. It is important for the designers to be truly interested and understanding of your business. Remember, without a comprehensive understanding of your brand, the designers are not able to portray your company effectively. Once you have selected a website designer who parallels your goals, your job is still not yet complete. Get INVOLVED. A good designer, like Dave Meyer at Bizzyweb, will allow you to be a part of the process, communicate your ideas effectively and make sure they are implemented. The website is not only a marketing tool for your business; it is often also a gateway to new customers. You must treat it as such. We would not tell our customers false things to their face, so don’t fall into this trap on your site. Be Real and authentic.

I believe if you follow these simple, yet often unspoken tips, you are off to a good start. Good luck, and have fun with the process.