Jun
2
2010
Are websites relevant?
Author: Inside Stuart's head...Are websites really relevant in todays’ social web? I subscribe to a great and very informative blog by marketing expert Scott Brinker. Recently one of his discussion points was on the concept of a website in today’s social web. Go ahead and check out his article 3 nimble trends changing content and marketing, it makes for some very interesting reading on where we may be heading in the marketing world.
It was Scott’s article that sparked the thought in me about relevance and business websites.
Are these Internet billboards really necessary when we have so many different forms factors online to consume information?
I don’t know the answer to this question or maybe I do and need to write about to figure it all out. Half of me is torn one way while the other half torn in the opposite direction. For those who follow this blog and my number of different blogs focused on business in Calgary and Canadian business know that I have a passion for creating content. So much this is my career, working with small business on crafting and creating their online communications strategy. I am so blessed to have a faithful following of people who check in almost daily for new information that either comes from my colleagues like Scott or stuff I just think about. We don’t have a website for these content service, just a blog…and for all argument sakes a blog is really a website with dynamic content.
My argument for business “owning” their website (notice I didn’t say having) is this. Your website serves a great place for your static business content. Information about your products and services, history of the company and a run down of all the great things you do. Some of you even transact through your website. However, more and more of the leading websites are now combining traditional static information with bits and pieces of dynamic content thrown in just for fun.
Your business marketing site (your website) is your sales and marketing engine online. David and I work hard each day and focus our services at Ulistic on educating small business owners across North America on the value of investing in the ownership of the entire web presence through our Ulistic Coaching and Online Mentoring Program. Not just a simple website but an interactive marketing machine that converts visitors to prospects for your business.
The demand for this knowledge of communicating online is overwhelming some days however it is truly rewarding.
What does this really mean?
I believe websites for small business are an investment. A well performing website is a huge asset to any corporation, especially one that has proven conversion results. So yes, a business must have a marketing website to market their business online and one that blends all the social interaction required in today’s world.
I think I just answered my own question.
Here is a great quote I pulled off of Scott’s blog and it really sums it up.
Nic Newman of the BBC:
You can’t afford to [create] a piece of content for any one platform. Instead of crafting a website, you have to put more effort into crafting the description of an asset and the different bits of an asset, so they can be reused more effectively, so they can deliver more value.
