Atarah Software, Inc.

I Need a Website: Where Do I Begin?

Once you and your organization have recognize the opportunities that come with having a coordinated web presence, the next step is to begin building one for your organization. Several questions will need to be answered as you go along this journey, but the first and most important is probably Where Do I Begin? My answer to this: Organization and Planning.

It’s difficult (or just unwise) to begin any significant project without an idea of what things will look like once completed or you’ve reached a specific milestone. The website and web presence of your small business or non-profit organization certainly qualifies. So here are five steps to take to prepare you for this journey.

 

1. Follow large organizations with a mission that is similar to yours

Unless your organization is 100% unique, chances are good that a few large organizations are doing what you would like to do right now. Learn from them. Large organizations have the financial and human resources to make them successful. They have taken chances and have experienced the successes and missteps that come with running a business or a non-profit. Furthermore, they have more than likely mastered the marketing, branding and communication strategies of connection with large audiences. While you may not be running an operation of the same scale, there is a wealth of information you can observe from their practices. Begin following these organizations if you are not currently and learn.

 

2. Subscribe to the websites, social media and blogs of influential media within your industry

Industry media publications, articles, social media, blogs, etc focus on delivering news and keeping their audiences informed on what’s trending and what’s important. This is a great place to learn, to be inspired and to gather ideas on what you should feature within your own web strategy and how to deliver it. Industry-specific media also provides excellent examples of how to communicate effectively as well as what to communicate. Do keep in mind, however, some media sources focus on audiences primarily made up of producers (i.e. business owners, professionals, service providers, etc) while others focus on audiences primarily made up of consumers (i.e. customers, enthusiasts, cancer survivors, etc). You will want to find both, but know the audience they are targeting. After all, the news and content that is interesting to you (e.g. as a Producer) may not be right for your customers and those using your organization’s services (e.g. as Consumers).

 

3. Define your goals and objectives

This is the most important beginning step you will undertake. What do you want to accomplish with your website and web presence? Do you want to create an online presence? Do you want to differentiate your business? Do you want to capture leads? What ever your goals are, one of your very first steps should be to define them for your website. It is important to spend some time identifying the reasons you are building a website in the first place. This will help guide you through the process of actually developing the site, identifying the resources and features you need and help you stay on course.

 

4. Get the necessary training

Assuming you don’t already have the expertise of building and running a successful web presence, you will need to begin learning. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should begin taking software development classes. What this means is that if you are going to manage, maintain and utilize the tools of the web you will need to become familiar with them. Having a working knowledge of HTML, the basic building blocks of the web, is a great place to start. But in addition to that, it will be useful to learn about other web-related technology such as digital photography, video, social media and mobile technology. As your web presence matures over time, you will begin to use more and more technology in managing your website. The growing number of tools has added to the sophistication of the web and continues to improve the user experience. You will being to experience this with the majority of the websites you frequent and will want to begin bringing your own site up to contemporary standards. Begin with the basics and continue expand from there.

 

5. Work your plan

Once you’ve spent time creating your plan, you must begin to put it in motion. Otherwise, why did you both in the first place? A plan without execution is a waste of time.

 

One very important thing to understand is a website is never really “done”. After all, time does not stand still and neither does technology. You may get to a point where you’ve accomplished the items on your list or have developed a web presence that you are incredibly proud to share, but technology continues to change and evolve everyday. What you build today can look stale tomorrow. Or next week. Or next month. Regardless, it will get old so you must be prepared to evolve, too. For instance Apple, one of (if not the) world’s most respected companies is revered for it’s sense of design and user sensibilities. Imagine what it’s website must have looked like 5 years ago. Or even 2 years ago. It very well may have looked better than most companies’ websites today but it pales in comparison to what Apple’s site looks like today. That is because they evolve and don’t stand still. Apple’s website 2 years from now will likely blow away their current site. We must maintain the same mind state with the care of our own site. Continue to tweak and make changes overtime. See what other sites are doing and where things are headed and don’t be afraid to experiment. They don’t have to be wholesale changes made daily, monthly or yearly but they should be tweaks that feel right.

Good luck!

Why Do I Need A Website?

The Internet has been part of mainstream society since 1995 and over the course of these last 17 years, it has evolved quite a bit. One thing that has become evident, however, is that in the modern world it is as common as the telephone, television and cars. In fact, it has enhanced our experience with such common products as the phone, the television and cars. The Internet is indispensable from our daily lives. 

This is just as true for businesses and non-profit organizations as it is for individuals. The Internet has become of the hub of modern business and plays just as prominent a role for non-profits. And yet, in 2012 there are still several small businesses and non-profits that have no website and many more whose site has been woefully neglected. We think there is a huge opportunity that these groups are missing.

There are several reasons why your small business or non-profit organization needs a website. Here are just a few:

To Be Found

How many times have you done a search online for product or service and hoped that you could fine a local business that can help? That’s exactly what your prospects are doing! Everyday millions, if not billions, of people are using search engines like Google and Bing to find products to buy or services to purchase or sign up for. At the same time, internet users are doing research on causes that your non-profit supports and fights for. In either case, you need to establish a web presence and be available to them. If you’re not, your competitors will be.

Add Credibility to Your Brand

By simply having a professional business or non-profit website, you add credibility to your brand. You must have a professional looking site if you want to be taken seriously. Many customers search for information online prior to making a purchase at a brick-and-mortar store. Several will visit the store to window shop and return to the website to make a purchase or compare prices with several vendors. Either way, the impression your site makes can be the difference between gaining or losing a customer. The stakes are equally high for potential donors, volunteers and supporters of non-profits. Is your organization credible? If it doesn’t look the part, users may not feel comfortable lending their time, talent and treasury to your cause.

Have 24/7 Access to Clients, Customers, Supporters, Press, etc.

With a professional website, users now have access to your business or non-profit organization at any time of the day and from any location. While you, your employees and co-workers need to take time off to sleep and eat everyday, your website doesn’t. It’s available when you’re not so make sure it provides the information your visitors are looking for.

Establish a Global Headquarters

Today small businesses and non-profits have a multitude of platforms and mediums market their wares and spread their message. It’s quite common for organizations, of any size, to construct and maintain complex marketing strategies that touch several of these platforms. There are social networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; photo and video-sharing sites like YouTube, Flickr and Vimeo; smart phones and tablets provide opportunities with mobile apps and mobile websites; and of course the traditional brick-and-mortar shops, mail order catalogs, 1-800 numbers, TV and radio commercials, newspapers, magazines, billboards, email marketing, etc. the list goes on! With so many channels to reach your target market it is important to establish a centralized location as the headquarters for all of these hubs. A professional website makes for the perfect headquarters for this wealth of information.

There are several other reasons to have website, but one of the best is that regardless of how big or small your organization is when it comes to benefitting from a website, size does not matter. Whether your a one-man show or a 10,000-employee corporate giant, a professional website levels the playing field. If you don’t have a well-maintained website, you’re losing customers to companies that do.

If you are interested in getting your web presence started or revamped, contact Atarah Software for a free consultation.