[ This post is to be read to the Rolling Stones Song....]

You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need…

Went is just what you need enough? When it comes to Web sites, to many site owners the answer is “Never!”

The bar has been raised when it comes to the visuals and functionality of Web sites. Almost every day I run into sites that I am in awe of based on their logical design, beautiful graphics and layout. That didn’t happen even a few years ago. Contrary to what so many want to believe; Web Development is not so easy that a monkey can do it!

Some will buy Frontpage and give it a whirl. That’s when my phone rings or the e-mail through my site arrives. These folks who couldn’t do it themselves and therefore don’t realize the skill or experience involved, then proceed to dictate by the pixel, by each line’s font point size, image size and clashing color scheme they want. Some even stating what they are willing to pay and how I should bill them. Wow….

If clients have good ideas — they are immediately implemented. If there are considerations, being I being I’ve been doing this gig for just a little while (not many folks have lasted for 12 years), I feel it is my responsibility to let them know the variables that need to be considered based on their request. I do want them to succeed…

It is the minority who checks their ego or “what I want” on the shelf in lieu of advice that is provided with no ulterior motive other than to enhance their success. The majority are so wrapped up in the thought of not having what they want that they will many times override my advice for no other reason than it prevents them from having what they want.

Not a good reason to make a serious business decision.

When working with a truly experienced professional in this field, expect that they will tell you the ramifications of what you want and why you may want to consider other options. That’s their job. They have the experience to know what works and what doesn’t. You are paying for reliable, credible advice after-all, right?

Do you want what you want or do you want to succeed based on proven methodology and the advice of someone whose been-there, done-that? If it is the former, you’ll have no problem finding someone who will take your money and give you want you want without offering any suggestions or considerations. And if that is all that is important to you, what you want, you would do well to bookmark my site so you know where to come when your ROI is MIA.

You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You just might find
You get what you need…

To get found, to get exposure for your business; to stand out from the rest is a task no longer for the weak of heart. I think about when I started over 12 years ago. I opened my “Internet Studio” in a sleepy little town on the IL/WI border. Folks thought I was nuts. They thought I was perpetrating credit card fraud and pornography. But I was the only game in town. No competition on or off-line.

Fast forward 12 years later and the competition is fierce. Everyone is a “Web designer” in a market where your target customers barely know enough to determine who knows what they are doing — or not.

The same applies to all online businesses — rare are the niches that are not yet saturated with serious business start-ups and fly-by-nights alike. It is to the point where opening up the physical “brick and mortar” may offer a competitive advantage. At least in that case you can rely on locals who will frequent your establishment.

Still, there are those who believe that standard business practices, lack of any sort of time or monetary budget, marketing plans, inventory or a unique product at a good price are not necessary. Many still believe that by slapping up a Web site, that it will get found and the money will roll in. It won’t.

Now, online is the arena of rabidly competitive serious businesses. If you don’t look the look, walk the walk and back up the talk — you won’t get orders or inquiries. To think that online you can market an established business for pennies on the dollar or start a new business and quit your day job in the year 2007 is a thought based in wishful thinking.

Don’t get me wrong. There are still wondrous opportunities and endless potential for those who approach their program from a business point of view based on solid established principles and the necessary costs to get there. These smart businesses know the difference between the hype and the reality.

They know the difficulties in truly succeeding on or off-line and rather than ignore them and try to find an easier way (that many times is non-existent), they embrace them and make things work for their enterprise.

For those who believe business staples, budgets, marketing and what one needs to do online to get exposure are moot, well there will always be someone, somewhere, out there willing to agree with you and take your money without any hope of ROI.

At your service,
Judith