 Hey, Siri, find me a recipe for baked potatoes. Okay, Google, how do I get to Aunt Agamemnon’s house?
Have you done this recently - asked your phone or even a smart speaker in your house for some form of information? With the three major smart assistants vying for a space in your world, you’re more likely than ever to have one in your possession today and may find they’re in more places tomorrow.
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 Every business still needs a website, period. Yes, you still need a website. But you you can literally build your own website in one afternoon and here are 10 tips to building your own website.
While it used to be a magical space for those who created websites, today anyone can do at least a passable job with a website using some of the tools that are out there. With platforms such as Weebly, Squarespace and Wix there is no excuse why someone can’t have at least a halfway decent website that helps tell the story of your business. Of course there are still a great deal of ways to optimize and polish a website and there are people who have spent a lifetime learning the inside tips about Google and other resources such that their skills are still very much in demand. But considering how many businesses have zero presence on the Internet, anything is better than nothing.  As human beings our journeys around the sun on this big blue marble trigger all sorts of events. For example, many of us try to lose weight come January 1. Others place huge significance on the anniversary of our own arrival aboard this vehicle. In these United States we celebrate those who have passed away in active military service on this day. This can also be a trigger for our businesses.
Every day our customers and prospects are critiquing our advertising and messaging. Some are responding, others aren’t. For those who don’t it could be that what we have isn’t what they want or it could also be our messaging. So I propose that, at least twice a year, we look at what we’re doing to woo our customers and make adjustments. We all know that one guy who wonders why things aren’t going so well but tells us, “well, I’ve been doing it this way for 20 years!” Times change, customers change and, most importantly, competitors change.  One of the worst marketing things I can see a business do is put up some sort of sign that reads, “Like us on Facebook.” Sometimes people even put the URL for their page. This is a big mistake. Why?
We all know who Facebook is - at present they have over a billion and a half users and that kind of pool of people can be a huge temptation for any business owner. I even believe that a Facebook Business Page often is a solid component of a small business’ marketing arsenal. But a Facebook Page is only one component and only a part of a solid online presence. I live in a rural community where having the Internet is not a given for a lot of people. So many local businesses set-up a Facebook Business Page and call that their on-line presence. That should be sufficient for a small business, right? Well, let’s look at this.
 Did you know that the world of web design is much like a vintage Ford Model T? Well, sort of. When any invention first hits the ground you’ll see all sorts of variations on that invention. One of my favorite inventions, of course, is the automobile.
Recently I was speaking with a friend who was mulling over possibilities for a new website for his business. After a number of years of dealing with a site that was quite, er, historic, he was still evaluating various designs in his head. His consternation: he didn’t want something that looked like everything else. But this is not the way to go nowadays.  It used to be, when you sold a business you absolutely included the phone number associated with the business as part of the sale. Having that consistency meant it was easier for thrilled customers to continue to find your business. Simple logic. That’s still true but today there are other assets that are also important such as the businesses’ URL. What’s a URL and what’s it worth?
As you all know I’m a nerd and I try to be detail-oriented but sometimes, in the heat of the moment, I make a mistake. In this case, the mistake proved to be expensive.
When I first started doing websites I had to buy a very expensive computer and then put very expensive software on it. I had to go to school and learn how to use the software and then maintain this knowledge. It was a very specific skill.
Today you can easily buy a $200 Chromebook and use web-based tools like weebly.com, squarespace.com or wix.com to create a website that has everything you need. These tools’ annual subscription prices are under $200 so, for less than the price of a decent TV, you can have a website that puts the face of your business out to the world. It’s incredible. So why would you want to hire a nerd to do a website for you? |
Tony BarthelTony Barthel is passionate about great marketing for small businesses Get Free Weekly Marketing TipsCategories
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