How Does Your Website Reflect on You?

A large proportion of companies, consultants, professionals or even other individuals today have some sort or form of website. Some pay large sums of money to have these prepared and created by professional companies, or do so internally via their IT department. Others use one of many companies where you can create your own Website, and obviously that can be done and maintained for a far lower dollar cost. There have been many disputes and differing frames of mind/ perspectives about what is needed, and the more expensive creators of these sites will always insist that there will be many additional benefits to using their fancier and more professional site. On the other hand, many companies (especially smaller ones), professionals and independent sales individuals question whether the ROI (Return on Investment) will makes sense with their far lower budgets. Regardless of which course one follows in the development and maintenance of these sites, the key is often what is referred to as the SEO (search engine optimization) is optimized, or in other words, how the site may be found when people search for it via major search engines (such as Google, Bing, etc.). When one creates his site, regardless of the cost, it is important to focus on these four areas: 1. Philosophy; 2. Niche; 3. Objectives and Goals; and, 4. Quality and qualities.

1. When someone looks at your site for the first time, what does it say to them? What is your philosophy? Is it stated in a clear, emphatic, empathetic and meaningful manner? Does your Website indicate and clearly state the main message you are trying to say? Since studies show that people browsing the wen generally spend only a short time before determining whether to remain on the site, that first page (also known as Home page) must whet their appetite and attract them to stay on your site.

2. Are you all over the place, or do you tell others how you are different than your competition? Have you indicated and identified your niche? Do you tell the viewers what advantages there are to them to use you?

3. Do you have a central objective and goals? What are you trying to say about what you do, how you do it, and why you do it better than others? Does your Social Media sites, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, show a consistent theme and philosophy? 
 
4. Is your emphasis on merely being another in a large crowd, and trying to fit in with what others are doing, or does your message show that your focus is on offering the highest quality? If someone who did not know you saw your site, would they understand your unique or outstanding qualities, and be attracted to you, wanting to get more information?

It's not enough to merely do it! Do it by emphasizing who you are, what you do, and why you are outstanding!