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The other day I was looking for some information and found a website that addressed my question. To my dismay, the information was five years old and had not been updated. The website was static and for all I knew the business no longer existed.
This is something that I know has happened to us all. It’s frustrating, but more than that if the business still exists, it just lost a return customer.
There are some reasons a business would not keep up a website, adding new blogs and updating the product or service information.
It is possible that a company might have enough business without advertising on the internet and feel that they don’t need to continue to do so. Maybe advertising on their vehicles is sufficient, although most of the car ads I have seen mention a website.
It is my experience that most 21st century business marketing makes use of a website with an active blog. The point of the active blog is to show that the business is still in business and that those doing the business are knowledgeable about their professions.
If I were looking for a local dentist, carpet service or movie theatre, I would do a search to find those closest to me. When I find places on the maps with pins closest to me, I will go to the website. If nothing has been posted on the site since 2007, why would I call to make an appointment? My guess would be that the business has gone out of business.
If I see that there are blogs posted at a regular interval, I will read a few to get a feeling for the company. I might read the tab about them and if possible look for a page on prices. Then if I find current information, I am likely to make a call.
How important is your website and your blog? They are the basis of getting business over the internet. They are the welcoming voice that is the beginning of all other social media. They are where you need to begin getting customers.
Have you brought your website up-to-date? Are you blogging consistently?
[/caption]The other day I was looking for some information and found a website that addressed my question. To my dismay, the information was five years old and had not been updated. The website was static and for all I knew the business no longer existed.
This is something that I know has happened to us all. It’s frustrating, but more than that if the business still exists, it just lost a return customer.
There are some reasons a business would not keep up a website, adding new blogs and updating the product or service information.
- The company might not exist anymore and has not taken down the website.
- The company might be so busy there is no time to keep the website updated.
- The company might have downsized, lost and not replaced the employee who was in charge of the blog and website.
- The company might have decided that the blog and website were not essential marketing tools.
It is possible that a company might have enough business without advertising on the internet and feel that they don’t need to continue to do so. Maybe advertising on their vehicles is sufficient, although most of the car ads I have seen mention a website.
It is my experience that most 21st century business marketing makes use of a website with an active blog. The point of the active blog is to show that the business is still in business and that those doing the business are knowledgeable about their professions.
If I were looking for a local dentist, carpet service or movie theatre, I would do a search to find those closest to me. When I find places on the maps with pins closest to me, I will go to the website. If nothing has been posted on the site since 2007, why would I call to make an appointment? My guess would be that the business has gone out of business.
If I see that there are blogs posted at a regular interval, I will read a few to get a feeling for the company. I might read the tab about them and if possible look for a page on prices. Then if I find current information, I am likely to make a call.
How important is your website and your blog? They are the basis of getting business over the internet. They are the welcoming voice that is the beginning of all other social media. They are where you need to begin getting customers.
Have you brought your website up-to-date? Are you blogging consistently?
aco Grobbelaar is the owner of BroadVision Marketing. BroadVision Marketing works with business owners to put in place inbound and outbound marketing strategies that consistently secure new clients. The BroadVision Marketing Training Center is located in Petaluma, CA and primarily serves companies in the San Francisco Bay area.
Jaco can be reached at jaco@broadvisionmarketing.com or 707.766.9778 or connect with Jaco on Facebook - www.facebook.com/broadvisionmarketing - and LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/JacoGrobbelaar.
Related articles
- Four points for filling your business blog with great content (broadvisionmarketing.com)
- Is your website representing your company? (marketing.yell.com)
