Starting a new business is akin to raising a child. You want the
very best for your child. You want to give your child everything.
But then reality sets in and you realize you can’t do everything
all at once; you can’t have it all. You need to start small
and plan for your child’s future.
When you start your business, one of the most important things you
can do is plan for the future of your business. It’s one thing
to have big ideas, dreams of what you want. It’s another thing
to actually sit down and plan for the future – for the growth
of your business.
Good Planning
In today’s world a website is a major factor in business planning. Whether you are a large successful business or new entrepreneur, one of the most important marketing realms available today is the Internet. There is so much that can be done using the Internet that many entrepreneurs are overwhelmed. They want it all and they want it as soon as possible. These entrepreneurs fall into three categories:
- Bells and whistles – these entrepreneurs spend lots of money to have everything – flash, shopping carts and lots of other features – without providing anything new or unique.
- Quick and dirty – these entrepreneurs launch an incomplete website with little or no information so they can have a web presence – many times this is a self-designed website.
- Sit and wait – these entrepreneurs either don’t know where to start and have no concept of how much time or money is involved or they know what they want, how much it will cost but don’t think they can have it all now – in either case, they do nothing.
Bells and Whistles
Bells and whistles may have their place but having too many can turn some visitors directly to your competitors. Simplicity is sometimes the best solution for new entrepreneurs. Don’t try to compete with the national brands, the top names in your industry. Build your website on your reputation and what you can do for your customers; develop your own brand. Think about your target audience before you add the sound, flashing images, or large assortment of boxes and photos crowding your pages.
- Use terminology your visitors will understand, not industry jargon.
- Provide an understandable, accessible menu system and offer links in various locations.
- Give your visitors the option to quickly select what they want without forcing them to watch, listen or search.
Use good planning techniques and offer your visitors what they want, like or need, not necessarily what looks or sounds good to you. Good planning will prevent your site from a being a poor design for your target audience.
Quick and dirty
Quick and dirty often results in a site under construction. Never launch a site that is under construction! Would you open the doors of your brick-and-mortar business with empty shelves? This tactic can do more damage to your business than postponing your grand opening. Think about your target audience, and provide them with the most useful information. Small and complete is better than large and incomplete. Once launched, the small site can be enlarged and enhanced; it gives your visitors a reason to return and it gives the search engines a reason to improve your ranking. Use good planning techniques and launch your website when it is ready for public scrutiny. Good planning will prevent your site from an incomplete launch.
Sit and Wait
Perhaps you would rather sit and wait for the right time to start your website. This often results in nothing happening. Use good planning techniques to provide your visitors with unique, quality information with new information added regularly. Good planning doesn’t mean you should wait until you can have it all. It simply means you need to think about what you want on your site and prioritize. Think about what will provide the most value to your customers now and what can be added later. Do your customers need information? Do they want to make purchases online – do you have the time and inventory to provide this service? What can you offer your customers that make it worth their time to visit your site? Good planning will help you have a great website that will grow with your business and change as your business needs change.
Successful Planners
The importance of a web presence cannot be underestimated. Let me
rephrase that… The importance of a good web presence cannot
be underestimated. It’s vital to the success of your business
to have a website that is worthy of your business. It needs to reflect
the image you want to portray for your target audience.
Some entrepreneurs understand the value of good planning and know
the key to a successful website is their target audience. These are
the Successful Planners. As a successful planner, they look for a
website designer who can help them meet the needs of their target
audience. As a successful planner, they start small and let their
target audience determine when and how to expand.
Be a Successful Planner…
Know your target audience and build your website based on
the needs of your target audience and how you can fulfill those needs.
Start small; grow your website as you grow your business.
The size of your website can be determined by the size of your business
and the amount of money (and time) you are willing (or able) to devote
to a website to get started. How fast you grow is a result of your
successes. How much you grow is only bounded by your dreams!
Strong Roots
Business owners can use the model of strong roots and develop a successful business website. Start with a website that presents your business in its best professional image. Let it develop over time based on your target audience needs. Give your website the attention and nutrition it needs and you can have it all!
© 2008