Just found the following article. I think it covers most of the basics… but there are even more. Take a glimpse if you’re just starting to worry about this sort of thing.
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/990530.html
There are many misconceptions about what being on the Web means to the success of a business. Every function of a business supports every other, from sales to customer service to accounting and beyond, and a Web presence is no different. Let’s explore three of our favorite myths that stand in the way of online success.
Myth #1
If I build it, they will come.
There are businesses that view being on the Web as akin to hanging an OPEN sign out front. The idea is that people will happen upon my business, make note of where it is and what it is called, and remember where to find me. That may work, if your business is a lemonade stand. Savvy businesses know that search engine optimization is critical to being found.
Myth #2
I can do it myself.
Many internet service providers make lots of money by offering Do-It-Yourself website software. Lured by the low up-front cost, many smaller businesses lose multiple sales cycles while trying to learn website design. After you buy the base level of service, you discover that kind of important things like web analytics or email capabilities that are only available at the higher “deluxe” and “platinum” levels.
Myth #3
My graphic designer can do it.
Lots of businesses think buying a website is the same as hiring a graphic design firm to design a brochure. True, a beautiful website is really exciting, but what lies beneath the pretty face? Can you make a sale on the site? What kind of data does the back end collect? Can you track who has visited, where they came from and where they went? The best websites have an armature of functionality designed to support the mission of the site, wrapped in a beautiful skin.
It seems every business has a dot com these days. But online success still evades many who believe that just building a website will bring an instant stream of customers and money. Like any business initiative, a successful website takes thought and effort. At PIXRITE, we have three favorite steps to online success, and one has to follow the other in order to get you where you want to go.
Step 1: Be Valuable
Just like a brick-and-mortar business, online businesses need to offer value. Have you fully thought out your unique value proposition? What do you offer? Who are your customers? How do you build interest? Why should they buy what you sell? These questions are the basic building blocks of brand. On the Web, you have a limited opportunity to draw customers in to your brand. Your landing page, and a few clicks in a few areas is prime real estate in the online world. What does your brand say about your company, and does it line up with the value you have to offer?
Step 2: Be Found
Being found follows being valuable, because your unique value proposition, your knowledge of your products and services, or the beauty of your website is useless if no one knows you exist. A listing in the phone book only works if people are looking for you. Search engine optimization can help your site “find” the people who should or could be your customers. More specifically, good SEO will put your site in the top five listings of all major search engines when potential customers seek what you have to offer.
Step 3: Be Engaging
Once customers have found your site, what is their experience like? Beautiful sites that don’t function in ways customers expect can actually stand in the way of a sale. So what if your widgets are the best in the industry? Is your site easily navigated? How many clicks does it take to find EXACTLY what they need? Is the content of the site useful, so they will tell their friends what they’ve found? Word of mouth, or in the case of the Web, word of email, Facebook, Twitter, or Digg is the Internet goldmine. Do you have useful tools that deliver value without charge, to build trust in your customers? What do those look like? Are they unique to Step 1, and part of what makes your site valuable?
Review your existing site. Write out the answers to these questions. If your site isn’t delivering the success you expect, these three steps may help turn that around.
Red Laser is pretty cool stuff. Just scan a barcode and click the price you want to pay. It still leaves a lot to be desired, but we think it’s about half way to our Awesome Apps List. Now they just need to make it a payment gateway with hooks to our PayPal accounts.
A PIXRITE blog! It’s about time, isn’t it? Well, pixrite.com version 221.290 has just gone live. I wanted to publicly express all of my gratitude to those of you (you know who you are) who have helped create it. We’re excited to launch and have some fantastic clients backing us up as we “get out there”.
I also wanted to let everyone officially know that PIXRITE is no longer a one-man team. We are growing fast and many are involved – and we’re looking for high-energy creative wizards who want to work for the best Web company ever created.
It’s also time to let all of our competition know they can stop calling us for work. We’re glad the market has become so competitive and we have more eyes on us now than ever in the past… but we’re going to eat it up while we can and give ourselves the opportunity to finally make a “bigger” name.