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

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

Yesterday I received 4 calls from folks who wanted to design, build and maintenance their own Web site. No problem! That’s what I do — empower folks with the reality of knowledge and skills that are required to succeed online (whether you choose to hire me as your consultant or not).

When I started to explain what they would have to learn and embrace, silence on the other end of the phone line…. Then, one commented “I don’t have to learn all that — I have FrontPage!”

3 of the 4 folks didn’t want to have to learn anything. They just wanted to be able to “do it.” One showed me the site he already created and was quite proud of. Everything centered down the middle, no consistent navigation or look throughout the site. The site was clearly created by someone with no knowledge or skills in regard to creating a professional and polished presentation.

Now understand I am not cutting these people down, nor am I trying to insult those who build their own sites. However, just because you build it yourself doesn’t mean it is a good site. When your kid comes home with drawing that is a hodge-podge of clashing colors and scribbles — you tell them how great it is. The one and only reason it is great is because your child drew it. Is that how adults are supposed to act? They made it so it is good enough and no one should tell them otherwise? Believe me, if you do, you’re the bad guy (that’s putting it mildly, I’ve been called all sorts of names for telling the truth).

Yes, you can DIY. But you have to be realistic, if you want to succeed, about the work and skills that are involved. Folks like me who have been doing this gig for over 10 years, many times 10 hours a day know intuitively what looks good, what works and how to do it quickly and efficiently because we have the skills, experience and the knowledge to be good at what we do. We’ve worked at building those skills and it is our profession. That’s why folks hire me — to handle what they don’t want to learn while they run their businesses.

In this rabidly competitive environment each business owner has to decide if they want that initial perception of their business to be compromised by lack of skills, design and marketing experience. Folks visit more than one Web site when on a quest and if your competitors “get it” and have partnered with a professional who knows what they don’t so they can succeed, they will get the contact.

Too bad so many DIYers egos are so wrapped up in their “creation” that they fail to realize that just because they made it, doesn’t mean it is quality, effective or will produce ROI. Online that’s what separates the men from the boys….

At your service,
Judith