First Impressions

Hold Off On Twitter - Fix Your Website First

from Mich Joel's "Six pixels of separation" from the Vancouver Sun

All of the attention you think you should be spending on online marketing in the many digital channels and platforms will bring your company zero return if you don't have a website that is not only nice and easy-to-use, but findable through all of the search engines (yes, that includes Google, Microsoft and Yahoo!).

It's time to get back to basics. It's almost laughable to think that some companies don't have a serious, robust and up-to-date website in 2009. No matter what you do - and this include business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) - everyone, at every level of any organization, always goes online to see just who they are doing business with. This could be potential customers, clients, vendors, consultants and more. As each day passes, we're seeing just how significant a website is to the overall business strategy of all companies.

Here's a scenario: you're having lunch with a business colleague who recommends a new laptop for you to check out. Do you run down to Best Buy? Do you call your IT department and have them fax you over a spec sheet? No and no.

You check it out online.

(anyone see the episode of Touchwood - Owen was undercover - the first thing they did was check out his story by looking up his company website!)

Your website is becoming the primary and first connection that most people have with your company and brand.

Remember the old saying "You never get a second chance to make a first impression?" Every day, hundreds (maybe thousands) of people are thinking about your company, researching it online and checking out your website. What does your website really say to that person if it is the first impression?

Thanks Mitch for the advice!