Why and What to update on my Website.

The short answer is "as often as there is anything worth updating!”

The problem we run into, however, is deciding what is worth updating.

Updating your website is about more than just your “news and events” page.  Lets face it – when you run a business, you have news.  You have: new products, staff changes, announcements, policy changes, new services, warnings, tips – the list goes on.  You have things to talk about!  You really should make a point to update something on your website at least once a week.  Lets review a few reasons why, and some suggestions of WHAT to update.

#Update your website because you HAVE to.

There is no ego here.  Many people hesitate to put news out about themselves or their company because they place themselves last.  The customer comes first, after all.  Whether they are afraid people will feel like they are shamelessly self-promoting, or they simply dont want to take time away from their customers, their own website takes the back seat.

#Website Maintenance is a crucial foundation in any marketing strategy.  Google ignores your website if it isnt updated.  Viewers get a bad impression if there is old data on your website.  This isnt about tooting your own horn, this is about making sure your website is visible when your potential customers are searching.

#Update your website to make it more interesting to read.Your website viewers probably have more interesting things they could be reading. They came to your website because they were looking for information.  Make sure you have what they are looking for on your website.

When you add new products or services, make sure you put it on your website.  A good website maintenance strategy will ensure you never lose a potential customer because you didnt have the right information online.

#Update your website to make a good first impression.Having the latest post on your blog page several years old makes a bad first impression.Your customers want to do business with whoever they perceive to be the best. Having a bunch of outdated posts, wrong dates, staff members who don’t work there anymore – they all make a very bad first impression.  

What kinds of things should I update?

Too many times, a business owner has a hard time getting started, knowing even WHAT to update on their website. We will close this post out with a list of things you should regularly update.

#Blog:  If you dont have a blog, you need one. Voice your opinions on your products, competing products, offer expertise, etc.  This builds your credibility while also increasing your search presence.

#News:  Much like a blog, your news section will be a running list of important announcements.  Fill news with items such as recent awards, innovations, new hires, new promotions and new products or services.

#Home Page:  Your home page should change to reflect changes within the site.  Put the latest blog post or news item teaser on the home page.  

#About Page:  These are the business cards of the website world.  Sometimes people actually read them – so if your about page says “we were founded in 1998 and have been in business 10 years”, then you are several years behind.  Pay attention to anything that has a date on it. Longevity statements are great for building credibility, but if they are outdated, you have defeated the purpose.

#FAQs:  These are kind of old fashioned, but people do still use them.  A good set of frequently asked questions can save some annoying phone calls.  Use these to weed out the audience you DON’T want to call.

#Products & Services:  For goodness sake, if you add, remove, or enhance a product or service, put it on your website!  This is key for getting the right kind of search traffic.

#Testimonials & Case Studies:  Word of mouth is still the best form of advertising.  If you make a customer happy, get them to tell you about it. Then put it on your website!

If you can’t do it yourself, find a website maintenance partner-(visit www.ritemate.com)

These are just a sample of things that should be updated regularly.  If you don't have the ability to make these updates yourself, you should find a partner that offers website maintenance services.

5 Deadly Mistakes When Starting a Business.

Becoming your own boss can be a dream come, true - if you're willing to learn from other people's nightmares.

 For many people, starting their own business is a dream come true. But too many entrepreneurs see their dreams fall apart - businesses fail because of common issues that could have been avoided.

One-third of small businesses fail in the first two years, and a little more than half fail within the first five years.

But that doesn't mean you have to give up your dream. Here are five common mistakes to avoid, so you can build a successful business.

1. Too little cash

"The biggest issue that most entrepreneurs have is money - they're not properly capitalized," says owner of a management consulting firm that advises entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.

In a report, Steve Hockett shared the lesson of how he learned the hard way when he set out to open his own business.

"A few years ago, I was working at a bank and it wasn't a good fit, I was bored and I wanted to become an entrepreneur," says Hockett. Without a business idea of his own, he decided to become a franchisee. Although he picked a very successful franchise, he admits, "I was undercapitalized, it too long for the business to build and my cash ran out." Forced to abandon the business after only a little more than two years, he was "devastated."

"The real thing I missed was anticipating my cash needs and being able to weather the first year,"  who has since become a successful franchise consultant. "One of the hardest things I've ever done was to make the decision to pull the plug on a dream."

2. Thinking small 

You may be competing for customers against larger companies with more resources. But you don't have to show it.

Remember, you're not small, you are boutique. You're not tiny, you are personalized.

3. Skimping on tech

Sure, buying gadgets costs money. But giving your employees laptops, Treos, BlackBerries and wireless access allows them to do more with less. In addition, the latest technology will help you and your employees respond promptly to customers, no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Ironically, it's often easier for a small company to adopt and deploy new technologies, vs. big companies that may be wedded to legacy systems and cumbersome, outdated technology. Your small size can be a plus, letting you be nimble and swift.

4. Underestimating the importance of sales

For small-business owners starting out, most of the attention should go to sales and revenues. If sales grow, expenses will take care of themselves.

And no matter how small, every company needs a, dedicated sales pro to make sure business is constantly rolling in the door.

If you are your own salesperson, practice on friends and family to hone your skills. "You could have the best idea in the world, but if you can't sell it, you won't be successful."

5. Losing focus

Every business should have a vision of what they will be when they grow up. And the more focused the vision, the greater the chances that the business will realize its goal. Further, the vision should be translated into specific execution tasks to achieve desired results.

Before embarking on your business carefully lay out all the attributes of your company and what you'll need do to make each aspect of the business succeed.

Share your experiences on mistakes that new businesses could learn from.