The Right Image

There are several things to think about when developing your online image. It’s how your customers will initially perceive you, so it’s very important.

But most importantly, it’s how you define your company and set out your products and services that have to compete in such a competitive marketplace.

Don’t make the story too long or too complicated.

Readers want to know who you are, some background information about your company and how long you’ve been around (an ‘About Us’ page), what products you have, what services you provide, some indication of costs, what customer support you offer, and most importantly, how to contact you. (That’s a minimum of 5-7 pages for an effective web site).

You’d be amazed (or perhaps not) how many companies make it really difficult to find out just how to contact them.

Always bear in mind that most people surfing the Internet are looking for information and advice. If they find a website that looks interesting, they will probably scan two or three pages, (no more), to see if what you have is of interest to them. If it is, then they will possibly want to contact you, either by email or phone, for further information.

If you make this process difficult, ie: you have no obvious contact page, then they will just get fed up and move on to the next website, and you’ve immediately lost a potential customer.

Okay, so now you have a handle on who you are. Are you sure you have the right image that best depicts your company? If you're in the Real Estate business, is the image above your sort of market, or is it more the one on the left? Change it if you're not sure!

Ok, so you have an image.

What are you going to do with it?

How is it going to help you sell your products and services?

Well, announce it to the world. Tell people who you are. In your "About Us" page for your site, include key points from your self-searching about your company. Make yourself into a real, live operation with whom your customers can do business and enjoy visiting again and again.

Publish your name, address, phone number, and email address. You needn't worry about being swamped by phone calls and letters. Most people wanting further information will always email you. Emailing is so much easier and it saves long distance rates and postage.

When all is said and done, what you say and do online, ‘brands’ you to those with whom you come in contact with. It would be far better to take time to ‘brand’ your company in a positive light than to leave your image to chance by neglecting your online presence.

"What's the value of your brand?"