I have a point where I go into “tell and do mode.” This usually happens when after asking for my advice, the client proceeds to ignore my over a decade of experience and online success, in lieu of what they “want.” (Don’t ask the questions if you don’t care about the answers…)

What some clients want is more important than the essential considerations that I provide, which if ignored, could negatively impact their program in one way or another. Whether it be those top search engine rankings they feel they deserve without effort or usability issues that make potential customers have doubts about their legitimacy, recommendations are minimized or ignored.

If you choose to work with a professional whose experience and track record speaks for themselves, you need to rely on their advice to help grow and nurture your program. Know they have your best interests at heart and trust them. If you don’t trust them to guide you in areas you have no expertise or experience in, why are you working with them in the first place?

Successful business owners rely on and are open to all mentors, information, data, recommendations, processes and methodologies they know they are not an expert in to fill the gaps so they can succeed.

To disregard fundamental recommendations solely because those recommendations are not what you “want” based on no other business related criteria to ignore the advice given; is not the way to run any business.

And wouldn’t that be a shame considering you actually had the experience and knowledge available to you to know otherwise?

At your service,
Judith

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