If you have a new idea or thought, use it. If you have an innovative design idea, give it a shot. If you want to try something new, don’t hesitate.

Your interactive website should convey a personality; it should be current, changing, and responsive, utilizing a user-friendly content management system (CMS) that enables the site administrator to easily edit content, add links, and update graphics. It must engage visitors and encourage a reaction. Much like a conversation between friends, the truly interactive website will be fluid and ever changing.

Too many websites are designed as virtual billboards–they look good, but they’re not really interactive. Sort of like a good-looking date with zero personality. Substance will trump appearance every time (a good balance is key). Do your best to understand the characteristics and desires of people you want visiting your site, and create an interactive environment that reaches out to them. Above all else, don’t be afraid to take a chance.

The best thing about your website is that you can make changes almost immediately. If you learn that something’s not working, change it; if you’re not getting the response or feedback you want, try another approach; if the design is difficult for visitors to navigate, then redesign. It’s not a billboard or a magazine ad. You can make changes.

Above all else, pay attention to your visitor statistics. Try new and different approaches to reach your audience. Develop a Rambo-like approach: shoot now, ask questions later. Successful web strategies come from trial and error. Your biggest mistakes will happen when you don’t allow yourself the freedom to make mistakes.

Don’t be afraid to make changes using your CMS. It’s the mechanism for bringing personality and new information to your site. BE FEARLESS.

If you need help with suggestions or ideas for improving the interactivity of your site, give us a call at 423-509-6637.

sidenote – any post where we can insert Rambo, we are all over.

Being interactive requires new and ever-changing dialogue. It’s always a pleasure to be around an interesting person, especially someone that fascinates you with new information.

Imagine how boring and uninteresting it would be to have a conversation with someone that gives you the same exact information as in the previous conversation. No dialogue; nothing new; just the same boring information. What is the likelihood you will return for yet another conversation?

Now think about your reaction when you visit a website that never changes. Are you likely to make repeat visits? Do you think the site has any chance of receiving consistently high recognition among search engines? Is the site doing anything to cultivate your interest?

Change is critical: new information, new graphics, updated products, additional interesting links, valuable tips, updated comments from other visitors, thought-provoking articles, etc. If your website does not change regularly, you’re missing a great opportunity to build and strengthen relationships, and encourage repeat visits to your website. As well as missing a major component of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Being interactive requires constant change and innovation. Keep it interesting and you’ll see great results.

Although I’ve done my share of business “networking,” I’ve grown to believe it’s a waste of precious time. Seriously. The gimmicks of networking wear me out.

Don’t get me wrong, meeting new people, potential clients, and other business people are great things. But inch-deep relationships developed through contrived networking strategies are not. I’m tired of chasing potential clients that have little or no sincere interest. It’s too easy to get bogged down in proposals, follow-up calls, networking events, business card swaps, etc.

Instead, devote more time to cultivating real relationships, and serving clients that need your help.

I know it’s true and important to spend as much time working ON your business as you do IN your business. But that doesn’t mean you should pursue trivial and wasteful networking activities; meeting the same people over and over; or failing to serve your own devoted clients because you’re chasing networking leads.

I’ve learned the hard way that our best leads are those that seek our services; those who come to us because they know how we treat our clients; those who like our work and want our help. Our job is done when our clients succeed. This happens when I’ve have developed a relationship and I understand what he/she needs. It’s so much deeper and meaningful than networking.

So… my suggestion for other business owners is to worry less about business card swaps, elevator sales pitches, and networking events. Instead, do a great job, get better acquainted with your clients, make a personal visit, watch a game together, make an extra phone call just to express your appreciation. Build trust. The best “sales pitch” will come from your client, because he knows and trusts you.

Don’t ignore networking, but keep it in perspective.

Tips for building relationships with your clients –

• Find out their birthday and write them a card, not an email
• Find out what they are passionate about
• Give them a call once a month that’s NOT work related
• Have lunch or coffee with them
• Hide in their bushes at night… Just wanted to make sure you were paying attention. We don’t do that. Maybe. No we don’t.

illustration via Plan59. Quote reference via Business Card Guy

We’ve all been in personal relationships that are going along just fine when one party decides they need to ‘define’ the relationship. You know how that can go especially if you are the one seeking the definition. Either you arrive with a well rehearsed set of questions and reasoned responses (rare result) and your relationships advances and flourishes…or you drive home kicking yourself for sounding vague, never making your point or being just plain incoherent (likely result).

Well the same is true when you think about engaging a design firm to help present your product, service or company to a potential global audience. You may think deciding about a website will be less emotional than that of a personal relationship but don’t be too sure. Remember, in today’s competitive marketplace your website serves as your business card, billboard, chief marketing tool and branding image to the public. In other words, it says everything about you so you want to get it right.

After reading that chances are your temperature is now rising, your heart may be pounding and a headache is coming on as you search for just the right words to communicate to the world what you are all about. Instead, be cam, smile and realize that’s why a creative team is here to help you. But keep in mind it’s important to be clear about what you desire because that will make the web development process a whole lot easier for you and the firm you select.

Here’s a good tip: Try to summarize what you want to communicate in sets of 3’s. Marketers will tell you that’s the best way to communicate the value of a product or of an idea. Even three words alone can sometimes be the best. Can anyone argue with: COKE IS IT. I LIKE IKE or I LOVE YOU?

Once you begin thinking in these summarized terms about your website it helps the design and programming team immensely. Remember, everyone wants the greatest website in the history of mankind…even though this tenure of mankind has only been around since the 1990’s. And, it is our desire to build you the most creative website possible but this can best be done when you are clear about what you want to say.
Try this: What is my product? What makes me (or my company) unique? What do I want to communicate to every visitor to my website?

Once this is clear you are ready to contact a web design company and we sure hope it’s ours. Because not only do we create with tremendous ingenuity…we also work with clients with a healthy dose of good humor and wit. We find this helps keeps the creative juices flowing for all involved with development of your website…of which you are the most important part. We hope you will let us help you!

To sum up:

• What is my product?
• What Makes my product unique?
• Be clear, concise, and think in 3’s

(see what we did there?)