Web Presence is deceptively easy to establish. I say ‘deceptively’ since most businesses simply do not understand the importance of their own ‘web sites’. We live in post-google world. Opportunities are found and lost in virtual world. Your clients (and chances are you yourself – as a business owner) are doing their research on the Web. If you don’t have an engaging and effective web presence, you’re missing out serious opportunities.

Your web site is not merely a ‘website’. It’s the most effective marketing tool ever invented. It’s the most effective commerce platform today. It’s the most effective advertising platform that you can buy into.

If you’re like most small businesses, you probably have a web presence simply because everyone else has it too. That’s a start but virtually useless in today’s highly competitive online world. Here’s a simple worksheet to help you decide if your site needs a makeover to be effective:

1. Most important: Can your potential customers find you by doing relevant searches on google?
2. Does it load fast enough? Modern technologies like Ajax can make information load on demand – making initial loads much faster.
3. Do you have a ‘web site’ when you what you really need is a ‘web application’? A ‘web site’ has merely informational content. Web Applications are interactive and let your customers engage with you via your site.
4. Do you deliver your updated messages via modern channels like RSS and twitter feeds?
5. Your Home page needs to tell your story simply and clearly. If a stranger lands on your page, does it kill them with information overload or simply delivers your message?
6. You repeat customers need to get hold of you easily via your site. Don’t make them dig through 500 pages to find a contact number or contact email. It should accessible right from your landing page
7. Do you really need that Flash animation on all your pages?
8. Conform to the old geeky wisdom : Make it work first, then make it pretty. Make sure your website delivers it’s punch in as few clicks as possible. Make your ‘Buy It Now’ button the most sought after property. Do you even have an easy to use ‘Buy It Now’ button?

You can hire high school kids and get a yourself a ‘web site’. You need to work with professionals to build engaging and effective ‘web applications’.

Finally, the sales pitch. At Yellowfish, we work with our clients to deliver Applications that work for their business. Actively and Effectively. We monitor the applications after they’re deployed to see how your visitors are interacting with various components. We are your professional partners and peg our success with yours. Send us a message and see what we can do today together.