Submitted by Jan Smith on Sun, 08/09/2009
1. Your next client is checking out your website. Even someone who is referred to you by a friend will probably check out your site -- if for no other reason than to look up your phone number and find out if you have evening hours. Make sure that your site is telling a clear, compelling story about why that customer or client should choose you. Focus on the purpose of each page of your site and remove anything that doesn't support it.
2. Your search page rankings might improve. Sites with good content that are updated frequently are given higher page rankings than sites that are old and stagnant. Sites that are linked to from related sites also tend to get higher page rankings. So create helpful articles and blogs, update them regularly, and encourage others to link to them.
3. Your site's technology might be getting in the way of your clients. Many people use the internet at work. But many corporate networks block audio, video, and flash animations because they use too much bandwidth on the corporate network. A friend of mine tried to order lunch for 10 coworkers from a local fast food restaurant. The store's home page featured a very cool Flash animation that was completely blocked on his office network. Needless to say, he ordered from someplace else. Make sure your message isn't hidden.
Nearly half of all internet users use a search engine on a typical day, according to research by the Pew Internet & American Life project. Make sure that your potential clients find your site and read an effective, focused message when they get there.