22 October 2009
ok stick with me here it will all make sense in a minute or two. So you have a wonderful garden, you show it off to everyone because you are so proud of it, it’s new after all! You suddenly become so busy that the garden is now always last on your priority list, so you stop tending it, 12 months later:

* The grass grows too long
* Weeds work their way back in
* Bushes over run their areas
* Trees are branching out and annoying your neighbour
* Your little patio is dirty and dated
* Part of the fence looks like you could put your hand through it without too much effort
* The shed leaks when it rains
* And there’s that half dug hole that you haven’t got round to finishing to put in the little fish pond.

So what’s happened??

You were so proud of it before and now you do nothing to maintain it, well this is exactly like most businesses with their websites.

Just think what your attitude to your site is like 1 year on compared to when you first got it.

* Does it still have that special offer that has an expiry date that was 6 months ago?
* Was the last news update 4 months ago and even then it wasn’t really that great?
* Are you selling services or products you no longer really sell, or even want to sell?
* Is there a page with coming soon or under construction there and you haven’t done anything about it?
* Are there products or services that you do now, but aren’t even on the website?
* Is your text even aimed at your target market now since the credit crunch hit?

Have you ever muttered this line “I’ve still to update my website, but you can get the basic information on there” or “My website is terrible, but you can get some additional details if you need it”

Wouldn’t you rather say “If you go to my website you’ll find all the up to date information for what I do and a special offer that is only on this week, but give me a call personally if you want to talk further about anything I can do for you” or “I’m sure the website can help you out with any queries you may have and if it doesn’t get in touch and tell me what you’re looking for and I’ll update it to help others with that same query“.

You wouldn’t believe how many businesses suffer from all of this, and just think how many of them are your competitors. I urge you to analyse your website, tend your online garden, so you can be proud of showing it off and that it will work as intended, an online lead generator or confirmation that you’re a trust worthy business to deal with.