"We have a very successful website..." she said as I offered my internet services as a conversation filler while I was running diagnostics on her home office network. "We have a ton of hits and it's very active." She continued, "Have you seen it?" At this point I am very curious because I love to see success stories in action. At this point I don't see any signs of the website in business cards, brochures, etc... just pencils, notepads, binders, calendars - all with the URL of the site. Even her network, now that I've gone through it had no anti-virus, no backups, nothing. And the most puzzling thing was, she had no viruses, no spyware and her machines all ran fine. In fact the only reason I was hired was to network her new printer and allow sharing on her wireless network. The more time I spent configuring things the more time I spent securing a list of things that were blatant "no-no's" in any network setting from missing antivirus to open and unsecured WIFI to her firewall shut off on both her modem and PC's.
Now looking at the website, it's in worse shape than the network (aesthetically). The navigation changes per page, pop-ups and blinking things everywhere and too too much information on the site. She told me, and I can verify that almost all her communication comes through emails, starting form the website. Which is why, every little thing she has at her desk has her URL on it, thus giving her the illusion of activity and success.
So what is success? What constitutes a successful website, or an active one? Is her network successful because it has not been infected or hacked? Is her website successful because of activity and communication? What standards are you putting on yourself, your business and your website?
Websites should sell for us, communicate for us and even educate. They have evolved far beyond the online portfolio or line card - they are so much more. They can now interact, think (to some degree), give out answers, guide, show, sell, problem-solve, and it's on and on. They are only limited by our imagination and investment - but the question is - what are you willing to put into it to get it to that level?
Click here and see what we can do to enhance your website. Remember, you may drive all kinds of people to see your website - but what will they say when they get there?
