Comments on: Have you finished your website yet?

By: Jean Davies

Jean Davies — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:55:49 +0000

Yes, absolutely agree. I love returning to mine from time to time, when I’m in the mood to update it, see what I can tweak. It’s a labour of love. Almost like stroking the cats I look after. Hammering it to get it “right” at the beginning becomes such a chore and it really shows.

By: Karen Skidmore

Karen Skidmore — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:34:10 +0000

Matt – great point you made. It is too easy to keep “playing” with your website and making changes too quickly – after all, its often a good avoidance from doing your accounts or making a few prospective client calls!!

Alex – Great question “How do you decided how your website should evolve?” At the very beginning it’s worth the time to think how big or small your business is going to be to allow you to choose a web platform that will grow with your biz. But, to be honest, this website is my 3rd candocanbe.com site in 5 years having started with a basic template one, moving to a HTML “Brochure” site and now using WP.

So in answer to your question, if you can know where you business is going and what functionality you will need to support that business growth, that should keep you on the straight & narrow of evolving your website. Hope that helps.

By: AlexE @ BookingTakers.com

AlexE @ BookingTakers.com — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:32:55 +0000

Hi Karen,

I agree that your website is never finished, as a provider of web based service (on-line booking and SMS appointment reminders for small businesses) I’m continually looking at how I can improve and develop the service. I’ve looking at ‘Get Satisfaction’ at the moment but I’ve found on-line tools like SurveyMonkey very handy in gathering feedback. Hoe do you decide how your website should evolve?

rgds/alex

http://www.BookingTakers.com

By: Matt Chatterley

Matt Chatterley — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:19:09 +0000

Good stuff and very true!

It depends on how you use your website, but whatever it is to you – a direct sales tool, part of your marketing strategy, your core retail channel – or more – it should continue to evolve and develop for as long as your business does.

That doesn’t mean it should be in constant flux or look different every day, though – a mistake which is often made. Consistency is essential as is engaging with your audience through the media – not just telling them things, but listening to what they say and how they react as well!