Should Your Company Website Be More Than Just a Brochure?

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<html> <head> <title>Should Your Company Website Be More Than Just a Brochure?</title> </head> <body> <h1>Should Your Company Website Be More Than Just a Brochure?</h1> <div class="info">Author: <a href="http://www.a1articles.com/author_1_117984.html">obsgroup</a></div><div class="body">Many businesses still view their websites as digital brochures - just static marketing pages summarising their great selling points. However, while the branding may be the same, websites and brochures are fundamentally different beasts. <br /> <br /> <b>The rules have changed</b> <br /> <br /> The internet has changed marketing forever. In the endlessly fragmented online world, users turn away from top-down marketing. There's just too much choice out there to listen to it. More than anything, the web has made an old truism more emphatically true: all markets are conversations.<br /> <br /> With this in mind, what will a potential client or customer think arriving at a site that's clearly a re-purposed brochure? At best it displays a lack of web-savvy. At worst it shows a sloppiness in the company and a lack of respect for the user herself. <br /> <br /> Instead, your website should be a chance to help potential customers connect with your business. You don't need to jump on every social media bandwagon around. However, you and the customer could benefit from more interactive functions (such as blogs, comments, forums and profiles). Even without these, simply by having clean navigation, structured text, logical links and the right information you're showing a willingness to engage with your customers. <br /> <br /> <b>Every question answered.</b> <br /> <br /> Typically, a brochure acts as a kind of lead-in for further enquiries. It might have your USPs and your contact details - and not much more. Your website, however, allows you to go into more detail.<br /> <br /> <b>Note</b>: this does not mean you have a license to waffle!<br /> <br /> It means you can explain your products, tell a little of your own story and draw customers into the conversation. It also means you can make operational savings. For example, simply by adding an FAQ or public question section to your site you could save on phone enquiries and support staff. <br /> <br /> <b>You want to get found</b><br /> <br /> Google gorges on content. The more content you have on your site, the more opportunities Google has to index your pages, and the more search phrases you're likely to rank for. This means that the more extensive and useful your site, the more visitors you're likely to attract. <br /> <br /> Your website doesn't just have to be a brochure - it can be a resource. Useful blog posts, interesting articles, insider information - this can all help you build authority and boost Google rankings. Your <a href=http://www.obs-group.co.uk/services/website-design.aspx>web design company</a> may be able to help you set up a blog and develop a content building strategy. <br /> <br /> <b>Are you missing a trick?</b><br /> <br /> Ultimately, if you view your website purely as a digital brochure, then it's your company that loses out. Requesting email addresses, getting free product feedback, communicating your story, building a group of true fans and evangelists...All of these things are opportunities to make more sales, spread your name and reduce costs. <br /> <br /> Even if you're not interested in social features, creating a user-friendly, enjoyable online experience for your visitors can pay huge dividends. <br /> <br /> <b>About the Author</b><br /> <br /> <b>Oliver Pluckrose</b> is the Head of Development for Online Business Solutions UK Limited (OBS Group) - a web design company based in London. Formed in 1998, OBS Group's ethos has always been to provide simple, end user-driven <a href=http://www.obs-group.co.uk/services/website-development.aspx>web site development</a> for a sensible, fixed price.</div> <div class="source">Article Source: <a href="http://www.a1articles.com/should-your-company-website-be-more-than-just-a-brochure-896321.html">http://www.a1articles.com/should-your-company-website-be-more-than-just-a-brochure-896321.html</a></div> <div class="author"> <div class="authorBio"></div> </author> </body> </html>

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Should Your Company Website Be More Than Just a Brochure? Author: obsgroup Many businesses still view their websites as digital brochures - just static marketing pages summarising their great selling points. However, while the branding may be the same, websites and brochures are fundamentally different beasts. The rules have changed The internet has changed marketing forever. In the endlessly fragmented online world, users turn away from top-down marketing. There's just too much choice out there to listen to it. More than anything, the web has made an old truism more emphatically true: all markets are conversations. With this in mind, what will a potential client or customer think arriving at a site that's clearly a re-purposed brochure? At best it displays a lack of web-savvy. At worst it shows a sloppiness in the company and a lack of respect for the user herself. Instead, your website should be a chance to help potential customers connect with your business. You don't need to jump on every social media bandwagon around. However, you and the customer could benefit from more interactive functions (such as blogs, comments, forums and profiles). Even without these, simply by having clean navigation, structured text, logical links and the right information you're showing a willingness to engage with your customers. Every question answered. Typically, a brochure acts as a kind of lead-in for further enquiries. It might have your USPs and your contact details - and not much more. Your website, however, allows you to go into more detail. Note: this does not mean you have a license to waffle! It means you can explain your products, tell a little of your own story and draw customers into the conversation. It also means you can make operational savings. For example, simply by adding an FAQ or public question section to your site you could save on phone enquiries and support staff. You want to get found Google gorges on content. The more content you have on your site, the more opportunities Google has to index your pages, and the more search phrases you're likely to rank for. This means that the more extensive and useful your site, the more visitors you're likely to attract. Your website doesn't just have to be a brochure - it can be a resource. Useful blog posts, interesting articles, insider information - this can all help you build authority and boost Google rankings. Your web design company may be able to help you set up a blog and develop a content building strategy. Are you missing a trick? Ultimately, if you view your website purely as a digital brochure, then it's your company that loses out. Requesting email addresses, getting free product feedback, communicating your story, building a group of true fans and evangelists...All of these things are opportunities to make more sales, spread your name and reduce costs. Even if you're not interested in social features, creating a user-friendly, enjoyable online experience for your visitors can pay huge dividends. About the Author Oliver Pluckrose is the Head of Development for Online Business Solutions UK Limited (OBS Group) - a web design company based in London. Formed in 1998, OBS Group's ethos has always been to provide simple, end user-driven web site development for a sensible, fixed price. Article Source: http://www.a1articles.com/should-your-company-website-be-more-than-just-a-brochure-896321.html About the Author:

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