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| Contents of Web Site 101 Part V - Web Presence Content |
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| Should I
maintain a catalog/menu of my products/services? Should I maintain a list of specials and discounts? Should I provide a map or directions to my establishment? Should I include information about my organization's history? Should I include links from my Web site to other sites? Should I allow visitors to ask questions by email? What other forms of content could enhance my site? |
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| Yes. Including such information will allow a visitor to find out more about what your organization may have to offer them and is vital to the success of your Web presence. A catalog, menu or services listing is frequently the first thing a visitor will try to find on your site - and if they can't, they probably won't stay for long. | ||
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| If it is relevant to your business then you should maintain a list of specials or discounts that a visitor can easily access. The list would be an added incentive for the visitor to contact your organization or visit you in person. You could also develop "Web" coupons that visitors can print out and bring to your organization for discounts on any product you choose. | ||
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| A map (or at least some decent written directions) to your establishment adds a nice touch and makes it easy for a visitor to find out exactly where you are. A map is especially useful if you operate a small shop or restaurant and your location isn't in a well traveled area. With a map you can also illustrate the location of other businesses close to yours in order to increase the appeal of visiting in person. A consumer may feel more compelled to stop by if there are other shops nearby that they can peruse as well. The two birds with one stone theory applies nicely here. | ||
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| Yes. If you run a local business that depends on local customers, then providing this information on your Web site has the same impact as similar information in your brochures and traditional marketing media. | ||
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| Including relevant links to other sites is good business
on the Web and big business. One of the biggest errors we see is that companies link to
their competition. Don't go overboard with linking to try and be "cool". Request
a link to reciprocate your link is a good rule. Overall, links are easy and can allow you
to include a lot more content but think it through and be skilled in the use of such a
powerful tool on your site. But of course your link to this site will always be
appreciated. Here are some of our favorite links: |
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| Email is an ever increasing method of communication on the Web.
It's instant messaging at it's finest hour, allowing your site's visitors to send mail to
staff members in your various departments will reduce your normal office manpower on
answering questions and problem solving. A simple question will not take up your phone lines or valuable employees' time. Furthermore, allowing visitors to report errors and send comments will come in handy the next time you are making improvements on the site. |
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| There are hundreds of things that you could add to make your
site more effective and enjoyable. A few of them are:
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