We have recently seen a client with a web re-design requirement.
His current web site had plenty of content but:
He was having to put product information into an admin area in 10 separate places to populate the site! Utter madness and a complete waste of time, let alone risks with accidentally tying in an error.
However worse was to come. Having fallen out with the web designer, I have just discovered that his web designer is the registered owner of his .com domain!!. Oh dear.
This leads to one key point in any business relationship. The legal side, who owns what. Whilst it is probably possible to get back the domain ownership, this clearly an issue that can happen quite a lot.
With the ownership back into the company's control, we can get on with the task of re-design, complete with all our normal Marketing Initiatives.
Sunday 21 January 2007
The Way Ahead
Friday 5 January 2007
Real World Marketing
Well, it's happened again. Another sizable firm this time with International Business Trade, and yet apparently oblivious to what is required in terms of Marketing.
Indeed it reminds me of my friend Kevin W McCarthy and his crusade to get his clients "On Purpose" in their business and life planning. It just seems so many people and businesses just survive in spite of their own actions.
Anyway back to my latest client, web site so introspective that the browser will have to do a lot of research on the site to find out what any of the 100 or so products actually do!! I mean its so secretive that site traffic will be giving up before they find out just what they supply. But don't misunderstand me, this is a "classic" web site and by no means unusual.
The problem is that it is designed by the owners and outside consultants but exclusively from the owners point of view. I mean its his business, his designs and products!
But, all material whether web, blog, newspaper advert, editorial, PR or flyer HAS TO BE WRITTEN FROM THE CUSTOMERS VIEWPOINT. I mean they are the ones that are supposed to read it, aren't they?
It's so obvious to me, an outsider.
But that's also the point. Most business owners are too close to the day to day issues. It is very difficult to step back and look at the "big picture", to see strategy, to look beyond next week's deadlines.
That's really my function whether it's a poor marketing web site, or poor strategy, I can arrive without the "baggage" of tradition, procedures or corporate or social history that has shaped these businesses. As an outsider I just see the "bones" of the business, indeed I do not have the time (nor would any sane client pay for) me to learn all the histrionics that make each business unique.
So I will let you know how it goes, when I open with "Your Web Site is Rubbish"
But I will help them build up this business with a fully rounded marketing plan that will encompass the web site and make it a worthwhile addition to the "family".
mail me for comments, ideas and help.
Indeed it reminds me of my friend Kevin W McCarthy and his crusade to get his clients "On Purpose" in their business and life planning. It just seems so many people and businesses just survive in spite of their own actions.
Anyway back to my latest client, web site so introspective that the browser will have to do a lot of research on the site to find out what any of the 100 or so products actually do!! I mean its so secretive that site traffic will be giving up before they find out just what they supply. But don't misunderstand me, this is a "classic" web site and by no means unusual.
The problem is that it is designed by the owners and outside consultants but exclusively from the owners point of view. I mean its his business, his designs and products!
But, all material whether web, blog, newspaper advert, editorial, PR or flyer HAS TO BE WRITTEN FROM THE CUSTOMERS VIEWPOINT. I mean they are the ones that are supposed to read it, aren't they?
It's so obvious to me, an outsider.
But that's also the point. Most business owners are too close to the day to day issues. It is very difficult to step back and look at the "big picture", to see strategy, to look beyond next week's deadlines.
That's really my function whether it's a poor marketing web site, or poor strategy, I can arrive without the "baggage" of tradition, procedures or corporate or social history that has shaped these businesses. As an outsider I just see the "bones" of the business, indeed I do not have the time (nor would any sane client pay for) me to learn all the histrionics that make each business unique.
So I will let you know how it goes, when I open with "Your Web Site is Rubbish"
But I will help them build up this business with a fully rounded marketing plan that will encompass the web site and make it a worthwhile addition to the "family".
mail me for comments, ideas and help.
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