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Hi, my name is Allison Schell and I am addicted to the Internet.  Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, People.com, and of course the leader of the them all, Facebook, have become a part of my life much like brushing my teeth. I get up every day and the first thing I do is check my Gmail, then my Facebook, and lastly I head on over and check out if any celebrities have been caught misbehaving last night on People.com. Technology has become such a large part of our lives that it would be difficult to avoid it even if we wanted to. So, it is no surprise companies are starting to use the resources technology has to offer to help reach more consumers. With that said, it is important that any company, especially if you are attempting to have your own business, is utilizing these resources to maximize their exposure to consumers. As I have mentioned in my last post, it is important to learn from others who have been successful or who have failed in your industry. Whether is be the layout of your story, the warnings on your labels, or the website for you company, try to avoid making the same mistakes others have in the past.

One of the most important things for you to do when starting a business is to make sure you have a website. It is important that your website reflects the brand's personality since this is where all of your other efforts will direct your consumers, besides your brick and mortar location if you have one. So once again, to the Internet I went. There I found through Mashable.com, examples of six other companies whose websites have played a major role in the successful of their companies.

            Once reviewing these websites there are several key items they found that are important for small business owners to focus on when creating or redesigning their websites.  These elements include:

▪                Provide a succinct product description and purchasing instructions.

▪                Choose a Web design that enhances content, rather than distracts from it.

▪                If you are asking users to interact with content, opt for a simple call-to-action prompt.

▪                Ensure the site is easy to navigate.

▪                Drive conversation by choosing engaging topics and asking interesting questions via a corporate blog.

▪                Put your service at the forefront. Don't make users dig for it.

           Designing a website can be tricky.  That is why I suggest that if you are looking to develop website that you hire a professional.  Code writing for web pages isn’t something one can pick up over night, and sometimes we need the guidance of a professional to help us create a website that fits our needs. Don't worry that you are going to break your already empty piggy bank, because just like in Hollywood, if you know the right people you can find someone to do this work for a fraction of the cost. But be careful when choosing a web designer, because just like agents, you need to find a one that is a good fit for you.  So shop around, beause in the end the return you will see for a great website will outweigh any hassle you had to endure to develop it. 

References:

http://mashable.com/2011/05/21/small-business-websites