The saying “on it like a cheap suit” refers to the fact the cheap suits are all over the place from fabric to lack of quality.
I see “cheap suit” Web sites all the time. Sites whose owners think they look all dressed up and believe they are actually giving the impression of being a formal business. When in contrast these sites are clearly reflecting the site’s overall lack of believability and trustworthiness.
When you are out to impress — you simply don’t take the cheap suit approach. For example:
- Would you wear a cheap suit to that dream job interview? Probably not, the next applicant who spent the bucks to look spiffy will make you barely a memory.
- Would you wear a cheap suit to your wedding? Most likely not. If you did that would be telling as to what the future would be like being married to you if you didn’t see the importance of wearing a nice suit for your own nuptials.
- Would you wear a cheap suit to court? Say you had to go to court for custody, traffic issues, DUI, whatever. Do you think a cheap suit would help persuade the judge that you take the issue as seriously as you should. Don’t think so.
Then why would you assume that a “cheap suit” Web site will produce? Cheap suits do not lend to the perception of one being a legitimate and credible business. Would you make your own suit to wear out on the town? No — you are not a tailor. Then, it should go without saying as to whether you should design your own Web site without the proper training, skills and experience.
Impressions are everything when you are trying to convince someone to spend money with you. Wear a cheap suit and don’t be surprised if customers seek out those competitors who realize the importance of presenting a polished and professional image.
The good news is you can always learn — but will your business survive in the interim? If I were you I’d get all over that like a cheap suit!
At your service,
Judith
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Back in the day, it used to be O.K. to have a basic Web site with the same type of info you would have on your business card or an off-line brochure. Hence the term “brochureware.”
Now, in the year 2007 brochureware is nowhere! The bar has been raised — really high. If a site owner really thinks they can put up a brochureware site, get found in search engines and have the inquiries flow in — they are kidding themselves.
Anyone who works with me is advised very clearly the reality of getting found, what they need to do to be considered viable as well as the considerations to reach their goals. Whether that be to be in top 10 or top page. It won’t happen by osmosis.
Inevitably, I get an e-mail after their launch that states “Why isn’t my site in the Top 10?” or “Why can’t I find my site on the search engines?”. This from site owners who disregarded all the information I provided, who haven’t done a thing to their site for a very long time (sometimes years), or who haven’t reviewed the articles on my site that tell them exactly, precisely how to get found in search engines; how to get good search engine rankings.
Rankings do not just happen because you have a nice site that blathers on all about you. Rankings happen because you update your site constantly with valuable information for your target market with articles, how tos, white papers. Add a Blog! Add a discussion forum. Add an online directory; and article library. Keep on adding, building and growing!! Your Web site should be viewed as a work in progress; for perpetuity!
When your site becomes a resource for your site visitors rather than purely a brochureware contact site — then, and only then will you get good rankings, get found and enjoy the inquiries that will follow.
At your service,
Judith
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I am constantly in awe of some of the Flash sites out there. The creativity, design and functionality that Flash offers is next to none. So, it is not so strange that customers see Flashed presentations and templates and want to have them as their Web site. Then, I have to talk them off the ledge…
Search engines have become much better at reading Flashed sites. But it isn’t anywhere near what you would need to be able to build strong natural rankings. In addition, Flashed sites are very expensive to modify and change (not for those with small budgets) and considering many site owners want to dabble in the maintenance of their own sites, Flash takes that right out of the picture.
Flashed sites are great for fancy-schmancy artsy-fartsy type sites where showing your use of colors, technology and creativity are crucial to your core competencies. Most site owners are not in that category.
Even with all that neato Flash stuff going on, the clicky-clacks and mouse over noises combined with the background music can be distracting and annoying to the site visitor who you are trying to make comfortable and encourage to stay at your site.
So as tempting as a Flashed site may be, from a visual POV, even I am not going to Flash my site. I want it to be accessible to most, crawlable by all search engines and down to business to service my target market who doesn’t land at my site to be entertained.
Most Web site owners would do well to consider the same.
At your service,
Judith
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Posted by: Judith in Rants
What is a muse to do with site owners who have sites that are 6,7,8 years old because they have ignored most of what folks like me advise? Some actually having the attitude that they somehow know better which gives them the excuse to ignore all recommendations.
Marketing isn’t necessary, keeping updated in both information and looks hasn’t been important either. Things should just happen as they want with no action or expense on their part. They chose over the years to not spend money on their Web program every chance they get.
Some even having form scripts that have been deactivated by their hosting company — years ago!! When advised that they needed to change to a more secure recommended form — they did nothing because they didn’t want to incur the expense. Imagine all the lost inquiries and opportunities because one didn’t want to spend $50-75 to have their contact form updated and secured? Personally, I can’t even fathom that train of thought.
Then out of the clear blue sky….Stop the presses — now they want a new look! “It should be simple since I already have a site, right?” (That’s cheapskate site owner code for I want a new look but I don’t want to pay for it.) Wrong; new look = new code, new graphics — update everything — not simple. They also let you know it needs to be perfection — down to the pixel (this coming from those not having a working form for years!) and it needs to be up in just a few days — for hardly any cost none the less! Sheesh!
What is a muse to do? With some, those red flags hitting me up side the head, guide me to say my production schedule is filled and I am not taking on new projects at this time. Why even take on a client that will have me eating Tums within hours of starting their project?
For those I think I can muse to the other side, what I do is calmly explain what is involved and do the best I can. If they get too demanding or unrealistic, I let them know the truth whether they like it or not. If their expectations come from a lack of desire to learn and apply, spend and do — then, I let them know they most likely are throwing good money after bad.
And what if they don’t like that approach? For every Judith, there are 100, more like 1,000 unscrupulous developers who will be more than willing to take their money and tell them want they want to hear. If ignorance is bliss; then working with me is not.
At your service,
Judith
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