We placed
our first site on the web in 1997 and have achieved remarkable
results from cost savings on our internal overhead, to revenue
that we did not expect to realize until several years later.
Our three year and five year forecasts came to fruition
in less than two years!
Obviously, we have prepared new forecasts, but the
fact that we “jumped” into the web is not the major
reason for our success.
The web
itself, is an avenue to enhanced opportunities. Without arduous work,
careful thought and strategic planning, opportunities cannot
be turned into successes. With a solid plan, we
entered the web as a tool to take our company global.
Through
networking with other sites, banner advertising, article exchanges,
content and customer service, we have expanded to 22 active
sites with plans for an additional 28 in the next two years.
Our web
objectives have been to provide content, information and products
and services to markets that we could not reach without years
of “snail” marketing. Each site we maintain
provides our current and potential customers with the following:
·
Who we are.
·
What we do
and how we do it.
·
In depth
information about our services and products.
·
How to contact
us. (A human always answers our
phones during business hours)
·
Ease of navigation.
·
Uncluttered
pages that deal with solid information.
·
A fun experience.
·
Less than
two clicks from anything they want to see
or learn.
·
Clean, crisp
detail.
·
Credibility
On a personal
note, I enjoy the web for the vast amount of information that
is at my fingertips. A paperless plethora
of answers in only a few seconds has allowed to increase my
productivity by an immeasurable amount.
From a
business aspect, the web allows me to be decisive in choosing
“partner” companies, advertisers and provide instantaneous
dissemination of new products or features that we offer. Our marketing plans
can go from the idea stage to the implementation stage in
a matter of hours rather than days, weeks or months!
It is
apparent that I believe in the web and plan on expanding personal
and business opportunities through this wonderful medium.
The web has pitfalls, also.
The following list of “web peeves” clearly express
my opinions:
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Pet
Web Peeves (in no particular
order)
1.
Search
engine placement. An overrated belief
that causes site providers to spend disposable funds for “hits”
rather than marketing. I am appalled at completing
a search and finding the same site listed multiple times with
variations of words that are misleading and waste a visitor’s
time.
2.
Misleading
links. It is frustrating to
follow a link that catches my attention only to find crud,
pornography or something totally unrelated to the catchphrase.
I don’t return and they lose repeat visitors solely
based on “misleading” information.
3.
Slow-Loading Sites. Although I have dial-up,
ISDN, DSL, T-1 and cable, sites that are replete with graphics
and waves that contribute nothing to the site make me wonder
if the site provider is interested in showing “how neat they
are” as opposed to providing me with what they have to offer!
Imagine getting a written business proposal that was
100 pages thick. If
the first 97 pages were pictures, fancy artwork and did not
address the proposal, am I going to “really” be captured by
the last 3 pages that outline the proposal?
4.
Page Not
Found. Self-explanatory and
don’t blame it on your ISP!
5.
Difficult
“Remove” Tactics. A reply with remove
in the subject line doesn’t bother me. Now, tell me that the
ONLY way to get removed is to follow a link, enter a password,
provide information about myself or my company is an insult
to my intelligence.
What that type of tactic tells me is “you are going
to hear from us whether you like us or not! Hell, I don’t like you
already for telling me that, so why would you want me to visit
you again, only to force me to confirm what I already believe?
6.
Sites
That Don’t Work. You catch my interest,
I try to log-in, and I receive nothing but error messages
and impossible routes!
Who tested the site? Isn’t this the equivalent
to automated voice mail attendants that never allow you to
get to the person you are trying to reach?
7.
Spelling
Errors and Poor Grammar. Come on people! Think of your audience!
This is your opportunity to display your best. Don’t underestimate
your readership. We
all make mistakes because we are human; however, consistent
lack of regard for language is inexcusable.
8.
Banner
Ads That Don’t Compliment The Site. Will someone give me
a reason for placing a click-through banner on page that leads
me to agricultural equipment when I am reading about office
furniture?
9.
Visitor
Counters. First, I don’t care
how many previous visitors have been to your site. Secondly, you make me
feel ignorant when I read that I am visitor number 33!
10. Sites
That Are Really One Long Page. A link is not difficult.
I have visited sites that have required me to read
50 paragraphs before I get to the content!
Web technology
changes as fast as a sweep-second hand on a nice watch!
Maintaining current knowledge requires a modicum of
effort. Sticking
with some basic tools that are available to all of us provides
continuity and a feeling of comfort. I receive approximately
600 email messages each day. Therefore, my favorite
and most useful piece of web technology is my email program
and its features. Running
a close second is the delete key on my keyboard!
Fusion
is extremely flexible.
Our network of companies all use fusion as a foundation.
Our designers that do not possess the ability to “hand-code”
have the useful tool of immediate assistance that fusion provides.
Fusion is constantly being enhanced and provides us
with solid updates and the ability to generate new sites and
maintain existing sites with speed.
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My Favorite
Web Sites
http://www.gridirongreats.com
We built it, we
are proud of it and it is popular throughout the football
community.
http://www.gabocorp.com
Flash. A wonderfully constructed
site that clearly demonstrates their capabilities. The graphics
and sounds are incredible.
http://www.eastbay.com
I shop there and
I can find everything that I want in sporting apparel and
accessories.
http://espn.com
I am in the sports
business. They
keep me current by the minute. It is quick, updated
promptly and accurate.
http://kcoach.com
The most informative
site about football and coaching on the web!
The web
has already changed the world. We use it for research,
communication, shopping and pleasure. Is there another medium
that allows you to accomplish as much as the web and never
leave your chair?
I believe
the world will now change with the web. We have made the transition
from the “mystery” of the Internet to the Internet becoming
a staple in our lives. The creativity of site
providers is impacting the world each day! We have only touched
upon the capability of the Internet and I foresee an outgrowth
of socio-economic, business and political movements changing
because of the web.
I do not fear the growth of the web; in fact, I am an advocate.
I am constantly learning about everything and although
certain portions of the web are not appropriate to me, I don’t
have to visit them.
Without the web, I am just another person trying to
run a business and not a leader in my field of expertise. The web is solely responsible
for my current and future successes.
My favorite
things to do for fun include playing golf, continuing to write
the perfect limerick, initiating and being on the receiving
end of practical jokes and combining humor with business.
Making money is a goal of most people. However, most people
don’t understand that you must achieve something before you
make money. I
am living proof that you can achieve goals and have fun at
the same time!
Watching
my son grown into adulthood has been the most rewarding thing
I have experienced.
Observing my co-workers grow in confidence and express
creativity is my ultimate reward as a business owner.
I
am a happy individual.
