If you have a Web site where attention to detail is lacking, potential customers will probably choose a company that portrays their products/services in a quality, professional manner.

Don’t pay attention to details and that detail will be a glaring red flag to those who may have considered doing business with you.

Things like:

1. An unprofessional design or free WordPress theme with non-related affiliate links in the footer.
   The cost of a premium WordPress theme in $30-$100 — minimal cost for the impact provided and the support you will need moving forward.
2. More advertising than actionable content.
   Too many affiliate links or advertising plugins that interfere with your content makes your site not user-friendly. Be very selective and prudent as to what ads you have on your site, how many and where they are inserted.
3. Typos and poor grammar.
   Be sure to use the WordPress spell check on everything you add to your site. Read your posts out loud and be committed to continually improving your writings skills.
4. Lack of Social Media options.
   All business sites should minimally connect with Twitter, LinkedIn and have a Facebook business page. It doesn’t matter what you think of Social Media, your customers are using these sites and you need to be there!
5. Low quality or improperly sized photos and graphics.
   This is a visual medium. Photos and graphics enhance your message, but only when properly formatted and relative to the topic of the content they are embedded within.
6. Lack of easily found contact information or contact form.
   “Contact” should be a visible easy to find tab/link that contains all your contact information and your contact form.
7. Lack of the basic, standard and customary information site visitors want to know.
   You know the info you get asked for by prospective customers — have it on your site. Don’t make them have to e-mail you for the very basics. If you don’t have a FAQ that covers the questions you get asked most — add the creation of a FAQ to your To Do list right now!
8. Lack of or slow responsiveness to visitor comments.
   Speed matters! In a world where customer service is anemic at best you can stand out from the crowd and your perceived competitors by offering prompt and detailed responses to visitor inquiries.
9. Stale or rarely updated content.
   Brochureware is dead. Sites without recent and regularly updated content look neglected and cause site visitors to wonder if anyone is home. Try to post at least once every week — more if possible.
10. Focus on promotional content instead of providing helpful content that your visitors desire.
    Contrary to popular belief your site isn’t all about you. It should be about you offering the content your visitors seek while soft-selling your expertise and knowledge. Too much of a hard sell is a turn off.

The above are just a few of the issues I see on a regular basis that many WordPress site owners disregard or overlook. All of which will contribute to how your business is perceived.

To think you can do what you want or are only willing to do on the issues mentioned here, will speak volumes about your business and what it will be like to work with you. And, I don’t think you’ll like what it’s saying…

At your service,
Judith
Your WordPress Consultant

Your WordPress Site IS Your Face to the World! is a post from: WordPress Consultant: Judith Kallos, At Your Service...

Do you actually have personal contact with those you “Like” or “Friend”? Do you continue that connection by being involved on their page providing your comments and suggestions? Do you “Like” without much thought and move on to the next thing to “Like”?

You’re a Facebook Fraud if:

• You only “Like” a company to get something in return (coupon, freebie, etc.).
• You have no intention of participating or commenting on their wall.
• You do not talk them up on your Facebook page.
• You find that you hide their notices instead of “unliking” them.
• Your only reason for Liking a page is to be listed as a fan to get yourself exposure.

You’re a Facebook Fan if:

• You selectively “Like” those pages that you feel deserve your kudos because you genuinely like their product or service.
• You post to your Wall about why you like a page encouraging your friends to do the same.
• You consistently post and participate on their Wall and “Like” updates.

You’re a Facebook Friend if:

• You actively comment and “Like” your Friend’s updates.
• You talk up your Friends products or services to your Friends.
• You send a private message (off your Wall) every once and awhile.

You’re a Facebook Anti-Friend if:

• You are an anti-Friend if do not have regular contact with your “Friends” and only remain a “Friend” so that you can have a “look at me” number of Friends or want to watch others lives without being involved. That isn’t a friend — that’s a voyeur. Creepy.

When I participate in social media, I am persnickety as to what I Like, Fan or who I Friend. I really mean it and do not hand out those Likes very often. I’m not impressed when I am Liked/followed by someone following thousands of others. I know there is no way they can follow me and everyone else with any meaning or intent. Nor am I impressed by followers who never contact me directly — even just to say “Hi!” or “thanks for all the great info!”.

Just think of all the clutter we could be rid of if everyone only connected those who they sincerely liked and were involved with both personally and professionally?

I’ve touched on this before [ Are Social Media Friends Really Friends and Social Media Privacy and Voyeurism ] — social media isn’t about numbers, or how many followers you have or how many people click “Like” without a second thought. It is about engagement and communication on a personal level. But that may just be me….

At your service,
Judith
Your WordPress Consultant

Facebook Friend, Fan or Fraud? is a post from: WordPress Consultant: Judith Kallos, At Your Service...

I no longer recommend static HTML sites to new clients. That makes me unpopular with those unwilling to embrace the current techno-environment. I find it uncomfortable to be paid to create something I know will not be effective, be taken as seriously or promote their brand as effectively as a WordPress site can accomplish with minimal investment.

vintage

-noun
the class of a dated object with reference to era of production or use
–adjective
old-fashioned or obsolete

Why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of the easy of use interface and ability to manage your own content and exposure that being on a CMS (Content Management System) like WordPress offers over a static, brochureware type site? The truth be told, only those who are not willing to embrace the technology of now still have static HTML sites. And, don’t think site visitors do not recognize that.

What is brochureware? Back in the day, that term applied to small 1-5 page type sites that had just the basic introductory blah-blah-blah but no substance. This was the info the site owner wanted visitors to know and nothing more. These site owners generally were so unwilling to embrace technology that they actually convinced themselves that glorified business card sites could produce results.

Now, I find I can’t help but include any static HTML site into that category. HTML sites do not offer the necessary interactivity, discussion, updates and social media that are the hallmark of companies who are embracing technology. Look like you are not embracing technology and that makes site visitors wonder what else you don’t want to deal with in the operation of your business.

If your comfort level does not allow you to be involved above and beyond e-mailing your “Webmaster” for inconsequential updates and tweaks to content that has not evolved since your site originally launched; then you really should question why you are online at all. No one is going to take you seriously in a day where customers expect so much more interaction and transparency on sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn (minimally!).

The online business environment has been heating up. Über competitive is an understatement! Online business has always been an interactive medium; but initially one that site owners could decide as to how much they wanted to interact and still do relatively well. That no longer holds true. If you want success or any quantifiable results you no longer have the luxury of having a Web site on your terms. Well, you do — but your competitors will thank you for staying in the last century.

You have to be involved, interact, sell online if apropos, network and be social or those sites (a.k.a. competitors) that do will get the traffic and new customers. See being social means engaging your site visitors and sharing your expertise and knowledge in real-time. Human beings are by their very nature social beings — as evidenced by all the online communities that now have everyone’s attention.

Sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Stumbleupon, Twitter, Technorati, Sphinn, Digg and others, are changing how businesses are communicating with their market. If your competitors are properly embracing this environment and you are not, how can you honestly expect any weighable results? The answer is you can’t. If you still have a static HTML site — time to take things up a notch!

This is a movement, a shift, an evolution that serious business owners must embrace moving forward if they are genuinely serious about their success.

At your service,

Your WordPress Consultant

Static HTML Sites are Soooo Turn of the Century… is a post from: WordPress Consultant: Judith Kallos, At Your Service...