The website is dying…Long live the website
A new truth is emerging: The website is dying. Also, to answer your first question, yes – I am aware that I am writing this on a website.
This is not to say that you do not need a website. You do. Personally, I will reconsider going to a business, even if I know where it is, if it doesn’t have some sort of web presence.
When I say that the website is dying, I mean that simply having a website is no longer good enough to manage your web presence. Think of it this way: You can no longer expect your customers or supporters to come to where you are on the Internet. You have to go where they are already and make your pitch there.
In short, this means social media and email campaigns as a way to reward your current customers and find new ones. Facebook is currently the most trafficked website on the Internet. Millions of people have made Facebook an integral part of their daily routine. If you want to reach those people, you need to engage them there rather than wait for them to come to you. This is a proactive strategy, and is essential to your success.
Even with the best SEO strategy, there is a good chance that your website will not appear at the top of Google’s search rankings – even when you are searched by name. More likely, your business’s profile on a review site, such as Yelp.com will rank higher. This can be a great asset, or a problem depending on your reviews. Navigating these waters can be tricky – call us for a free consultation if you have any questions.
Again, this does not mean that you do not need a website. It means that your main investment of time and money should be spent on social media and email. If you have budgeted $5,000 for a new website – it may be wiser to spend $2,000 on a new website with less functionality and invest the rest in acquiring emails and online advertising.
Online brand management is constantly changing – but does not have to be a headache for you or your business. Contact Us today to learn how Harbinger International can help you.