Its true. Just think about it for a minute - the World Wide Web as we know it has really only been around for around 10 years or so. So everyone who already has a website and is getting business through it, or improving their business in some way by having one, is truly at the forefront of the web.
You are one of the early-adopters of this technology and although global Internet take-up is still rapidly increasing (around 800 million Internet-users worldwide the last time I counted) businesses that truly embrace the medium are few are far between.
So in years to come when everyone else wakes up to real the importance of the web they will look back and wish they had acted sooner - like you are doing!
But Mike, I Dont Know How This E-Business Stuff Works
Woah there, easy tiger! Lets just rewind a moment to when the telephone was invented. It came along and people saw the benefits of using it. It revolutionised the way people communicate with one another and shrunk the distance between customer and buyer beyond measure.
You will be familiar with the fact that this era of business is now referred to in history books as the Age of T-Business. Also - cast your mind back to the creation of the facsimile machine. Another great wonder of the modern world that could magically transmit paper electronically. Businesses the world over embraced it enthusiastically and the grand age of F-Business was born.
What You dont believe me Well of course you shouldnt and why should the existence of terms like E-Commerce, E-Business, E-Shopping, E-Procurement and N-E-oldnonsense be different It is not E-Business. It is not E-Commerce. It is not E-Marketing. It is just business.
It is just commerce being done via another channel. It is just marketing your products and services in another way. Some customers will find you via advertisements. Some will track you down via word of mouth. Others will contact you directly using T-Business and others will locate you using the World Wide Web. Not E-Business - just business, done another way.
So What Youre Saying Is That Im A Flag Bearer
Well sort of, yes. You are running out front trying and testing things first and enjoying the rewards of being the pioneer as a result. Embrace all the options the web and electronic communications offer you - why not bin your brochures and contact all your prospects by email without having to pay for a single stamp!
Create an online shop and sell stuff while you sleep. Market your product to anyone on the web anywhere in the world. Its a global marketplace but only a fraction of the worlds businesses are doing anything about it! Make sure youre one of the people in the right fraction!
Michael Cheney is Author of The Website Marketing BibleTM. Take the Free 7-Part Course Internet Marketing Made Easy and get your free sampler of The Bible here:
A synopsis of Philippa Gamses Presentation to the National Speakers Association, Washington DC chapter on Saturday, January 10, 2004
Someone had asked Philippa why Websites are such a pain in a pre-seminar question. Her opening reply was simple, yet powerful, when you stop improving your site, you stop growing. She believes that Websites are a work in progress much like a business plan or ones own self-improvement. In fact, the first question you should ask yourself about your own Website is, What does it really do for people
The second question is Who is your audience You see, websites are really a lot like a business plan! If you are trying to attract prospective clients, then each individual page on your site should offer something of value to your audience. The number one way that Philippa adds value to her audience is through her articles. The best way to keep getting top listings with the most popular search engines such as Google, Yahoo! or MSN, is to constantly change or add content. Her articles add value to her audience and are her number one search engine strategy. Maybe this is why she doesnt cold-call. Her customers tell her that they have seen her name in multiple locations before they call her directly.
She said that we should think about the emotional connection that our website makes. How does your website represent you when you are not there Unfortunately most websites are not a true reflection of what we do and who we are. The reality is that our websites need to become an expertise center. We need to show a clear benefit such as how our programs will increase the creativity and balance of a prospective customer. Every page should have a strategy, a way to increase our database and provide a call to action.
Philippa also believes that each web site should have a dynamite testimonial across the front of the homepage, because testimonials are the least-viewed section on every website! She recommends that we pull out our testimonials and sprinkle them throughout our site. And when we think of testimonials, we should be thinking about the substantive ways that we have helped our customers. If we attempt to be clear and specific about our program benefits, why not be clear and specific about their outcomes from real customers. She recommends that we have specific testimonials for specific programs. Talk about maximizing our congruency!
In order to get started, Philippa wants to know what we have done today to improve our website. Two days after her seminar, I added a question and answer section and submitted my site to a dozen search engines. My next step is to write another article. What are you going to do today to improve your web site, your business and even yourself She encourages you to contact her about the changes you have made.
For more information on how to improve your website further, Philippa recommends that you download her tip sheet, Twenty-Three Proven Tips and Ideas for On-Line Marketing at Philippa can be contacted directly at her office in Santa Cruz, California at 831-465-0317 or pgamse@cyberspeaker.com. If she doesnt get back to you immediately, it is due to her ongoing quest to find the best deli sandwich outside of New York City.
(c) 2004, Mark Sincevich. All rights in all media reserved.
About The Author
Mark Sincevich is a professional speaker, photographer and author of two books and numerous articles. He works with organizations to increase their creativity, balance, leadership and personal development. He can be reached at 301-654-3010, , or .