Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

There are many reasons a small company may feel that a website is not for them, usually it is because they don’t know where to turn to get some direction. So for each issue of this paper I am going to try and open your eyes to the possibilities the web and other technologies hold out to you if you are willing to listen to some free advice…. As a way to introduce myself I thought we would take a look at some rather far-fetched reasons why a small company might opt-out of having a website.

1. You don’t have any customers or don’t want any. Sometimes this is how it seems to potential customers who are looking for you. Suppose I want to find a local Florist, where am I going to look? I’m going to turn to the web and do a search for florists in Trenton. It’s much easier and safer then risking paper cuts on the yellow pages. If a florist has decided that a web site is not for them, I may miss them altogether. One other nice thing about the web is that I can find information about their reputation as well. What do others think of you. It is in your best interest to place on the web, a site that shows your best side, and showcases your successes.
2. You feel your customers know too much about you already. One of the first thing I look for on a local company’s website is an “About us” or “Contact Us” page. Usually it’s because I’m looking for a physical location I can go visit. Yes even though I’m a creature of the Web, I still enjoy touching the “merchandise” or meeting face to face with the people or company I will be dealing with. People in general want to know who you are, they want to be able to find these things out with-out jumping through hoops too.
3. Your customers have never heard of the World Wide Web or are scared of the 21st century. Come on now, who are we kidding? Yes there are some who just don’t want anything to do with the web. There always will be, but keep in mind that the number of those who fit in this category are quickly dwindling. Are these the only people you want to reach? Most companies I know of are looking for the widest possible exposure. Don’t overlook the Web. Another thought to keep in mind is that the target age group for your business should not dictate whether or not you have a website, My mother, who is beyond retirement age, put together her own computer. The first time my preschool aged son spelled out his name was on a keyboard sitting in front of a computer.
4. All my potential customers know where I’m located. There are very few businesses that can say that everyone in their community knows who they are or where they’re located. Even if you’re establishment has been around since 1612, there are always new customers and potential avenues for growth that may be missed without a Web presence. The sign outside your building probably cost you a small fortune. Why did you put it there? How much effort or money did you put into designing it? Would you think of running your business with out one? How about your business cards? It is safe to say that one of the reasons you have these things is that people expect them, the same can now be said of the Web and a website for your company.
5. I’m not selling anything. Whether it’s mousetraps or ideas for improving them, you are offering something to others. Blogs have become the information source for many in your community, why not be a part of it? The florist I’m looking for may have spent a few moments of their time to post about the best flowers to give a sick friend or maybe they want to champion a “Beautify our highways with wild flowers!” campaign. As long as the message doesn’t get too militant, these insights into your companies opinions will draw potential customers to your door (or shopping cart.)

Maybe you can come up with a few more reasons why your company still does not have a website. Don’t waste too much time looking for them though, your competitors are snapping up customers that should be yours simply because they have made it easier for people to find them.

Next time I think I might take you on a voyage into the dark and scary world of bad web design and some simple rules to follow when building your own site.

Well, that was relatively painless. I am now up and running and have a passable wrapping around my brand-spankin’-new WordPress blog. Here are two links I came across that enable you to create pretty nice skins for a WordPress blog site – Did I say cheap?

PixoPoint – Which is the site I used to create the theme I am using as of today.
- or -
Check out Yvo Schaap’s* site for a very easy to use theme generator.

the PixoPoint generator is more flexible – and as usually is the case has a bit of a learning curve if you are not into web development. If all you want to do is put a personal look on your blog then zip over to Yvo’s site. I was looking to make my blog look more like my main site, so I went with PixoPoint (by the way I like their name…) In the end when I am able to spend more time with the back-end of WordPress I will probably create my own theme (More to enable me to get rid of the PixoPoint links, not because I really need to.)

*(If that’s not your name please forgive and correct me)

The goal of any Blog in my opinion is to do just that, enable a person to express their opinions in an open arena for all to see.

The goal of this Blog in particular, is to allow me the opportunity to express my musings on the state of the WWW. In particular how the technologies available today and in the future of that thing we call the “web” can be harnessed by the small business. Inexpensively I might add.

Here are a few things I hope to be bringing to light:

• Do I really need a web presence?
• How can I get the most bang for my meager budget?
• What are my options when selecting where my site will be housed or hosted?
• What is Whois and Why?

I also have a few projects up my sleeve that I want to air in public. my apologies to any I may offend in the process.

• Can a small company or department within a company actually have an intranet without running a server?
• I am also interested in seeing if I can bring to life a small modular server using some pretty cool tech
  • GumStix or Beagle Board come to mind for this
  • Speaking of cool, check this tiny projector out. You can put it in your shirt pocket…

Well I think you get the picture.

I look forward to tackling these and other thoughts, I hope you enjoy the ride.

Steve