Archive for the ‘Musings | Blog’ Category

Aug

You Can’t Always Have What You Want

Posted by: Judith in Marketing, Online Business, Rants, SEO | SEM, Web Design

[ 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…

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Aug

E-mail & First Impressions

Posted by: Judith in E-mail Tips, Online Business

Probably several times each week through one of my Blogs or postings out there online, someone gives me a hard time about how I am too sensitive when it comes to e-mail etiquette and that I make a “big deal” out of nothing. They go on to say how all this “e-mail etiquette stuff” really doesn’t matter. Who do I think I am? (I’ll save the answer to that for another post!) At least a couple each week state they don’t care what others think of them based on their e-mails.

Really? There is nothing wrong with caring about how you are perceived. Most normal folks get up in the morning, take a shower, iron their clothes, groom their hair — all because they care about how they look. Not necessarily because of what others may think but because you want to put your best foot forward.

When you send an e-mail in all small case, filled with typos and grammatical errors, what is the person on the other side of the screen to think? Well, those who know you very well will probably shrug their shoulders and wonder why you don’t make these simple efforts. While those who don’t know you will form an impression about the type of person you are.

Some of these impressions include what level of education you may not have (educated folks communicate in an educated manner) and why you do not seem to care about how others will view you by simply communicating properly. Neither of which are positive impressions.

First impressions happen and you can control what they will be. Why not make the simple effort to practice proper E-mail Etiquette? The benefits are many and believe me — it won’t hurt!

At your service,
Judith

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Aug

How Much Should a Web Site Cost?

Posted by: Judith in Online Business, Web Design

Whatever it takes to compete in your market. The most you can afford to have a fighting chance to be taken seriously and for site visitors to have confidence in doing business with you.

I’ve seen great sites for $1000 and over-priced sites in the 5 and 6 figure range. It isn’t as much what the cost is or should be, it is creating a presentation that will produce the desire results.

You can even build your own Web site for nothing except the cost of your time. But will you create a site that will provide the necessary ingredients to ensure your success? Probably not. WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors like FrontPage do not compensate for a lack of color sense, marketing considerations during the development process, intuitive design and the staples that need to be in place to provide the perception of legitimacy.

How much should a Web site cost? How badly do you want to succeed?

At your service,
Judith

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