After 16 Years, What’s Still My #1 Piece of Advice?
I talk to all kinds of current and new Netrepreneurs every day. Today I was asked by a new client:
“There is so much information and so many ‘solutions’ out there… WordPress seems to be “it” now — what if I invest in a new WordPress site and something new is right around the corner? With that in mind, what’s the one piece of advice you would give someone new to the online business world?”
My answer was that besides the obvious of knowing you have a desired product at a competitive price and a realistic budget to begin; find someone you can trust!
Don’t worry about WordPress going away — it’s been gaining steam for 8 years and going strong. Even so, technology changes and that is no reason to not make the important decisions backed with action — today! The longer you wait the more catch-up you have to play.
Know what you want and who you can trust and go for it! If you have someone you can trust on your team to weed through all the information and those “solutions” that many times only have the provider’s interest at heart, you not only don’t waste time making mistakes, but you also save money by not spending it in areas that are not necessary or a waste of time.
That is why it is so important to investigate your potential partners to make sure they are trustworthy, ethical and reliable. You’ve heard the saying “consider the source.” Do just that!
If the source has no longevity or lacks credibility; don’t pay attention. Experience and trust can only be gained after years of walking that walk — it isn’t instantaneous simply because you put up a WordPress Web site. Nor should you blindly trust what you read on a Web site. Heck, in less than an hour I could create a credible site that I discovered the cure for cancer — but that doesn’t make it true!
Learn just enough to know who has your best interests at heart or discover those who are just giving you a pitch. Your gut will tell you the difference. Here are some tips:
- Talk to them on the phone to get a feel for their genuineness and personality.
- E-mail to see if you get a prompt and courteous response.
- Look up their domain name at domain registrar WHOIS lookup to see how long they have been in business.
- Google their name and their company name to see what is out there about the person you are looking to trust your online business with.
- Check with the local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been lodged.
- Contact some of their clients from their online portfolio and ask them about their experience.
Just taking the time to cover the above can help you find the right person to work with — that you can trust. If you cannot get a warm fuzzy based on the above, move on…
Every day, I see the “big name” companies and fly-by-nights alike take advantage of what their customers don’t know. Who is at fault here? Both sides.
- The big name companies for relying on what their customers don’t know as part of their business model and the fly-by-nights by being only interested in getting into your pocketbook and then they’re done with you.
- And their customers, who are unwilling to learn enough to know they are not getting what they need to succeed or what they thought they paid for.
Once you find partners you can trust; from hosting to graphics to development and post-launch support, you then are freed up to do what you do best because your back is covered — running and growing your business. Pretty liberating feeling, isn’t it?
At your service,
Judith
Your WordPress Consultant
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