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Joan Holman, The Internet Marketing Wizard, is a nationally-recognized Internet expert and protege of legendary marketing genius Jay Abraham. Joan, who is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, provides Internet consulting, marketing, Web design and business development services. She is also the creator and producer of the award-winning PBS television program The Legacy of AchievementTM with Dennis Kimbro featuring the lives and lessons of high achievers.
Joan Holman (on right) with the First Lady of Minnesota, Terry Ventura,
wife of the former pro-wrestler, now Governor of Minnesota and one of the greatest self-promoters of all time - Jesse Ventura. |
Why You Need An Internet Marketing Expert to Drive Your Web Site and Internet Strategy by Joan Holman (copyright 2000) 1. Most Web Site Developers Are Not Internet Marketing Savvy In the past few years, the Internet has become a huge growth industry and has attracted many people looking for jobs and income by developing Web sites. Many different types of people have turned to Web design; graphic designers, artists, techies and programmers have flooded into the Web design business. The problem with many of these people is that they have no traditional marketing or Internet marketing knowledge and experience and no understanding about designing Web usability. "Usability rules the Web. Simply stated, if the customer can't find a product, then he or she will not buy it." Jakob Nielsen (Web Design Guru) 2. Do You Have A Cool, but Useless Web Site? Since I developed my first commerical Web sites in 1995 up to the present time, I have seen the evolution of Web design. I have visited thousands of Web sites over the years, from the most simple to the most complex. I view so many bad sites from a marketing and usability standpoint that I can hardly believe it. This includes the Web sites of some of the largest corporations which have been designed by big bucks hot shots who want to have "hip, award-winning" sites. Do you think I could find the information I am looking for on the site? Of course not, that's just not a consideration when you are creating "art." What I see so often is an attempt to have a "cool" site with animation, black backgrounds with white type (which will not print out on a printer), non-stop music going on in the background, etc. I experience many sites that are confusing, irritating, and where finding what you want is nearly impossible. The very best of Web sites for usability such as Amazon.com and Yahoo.com and cnet.com set a standard for clarity and ease of use and Internet surfers will judge your Web site in comparison to the best. 3. What Are Your Goals for Your Web Site and Internet Marketing? Before you develop your Web site you need to figure out what your most wanted responses are from the Web site. Do you want to attract prospects? Do you want to develop customer loyalty with current customers? Do you want to have people purchase products online? Do you want to provide customer service online which will save you money? When you know what your goals are, you can measure the results of your Web site. But remember that marketing your Web site takes an investment of time and/or money. You cannot just put a Web site up and expect it to pay off without a lot of effort on your part in updating the site, testing it with users, improving it, and marketing it offline as well as online. 4. Does Your Web Site Establish Your Credibility As A Professionally Run Operation? Remember that Web design amateurs create amateurish Web sites. Heavy backgrounds and animation can be very junky. Polished graphic design enhances the credibility through quality visual appearance. This does not have to be overdone, however. And people come to Web sites looking for information, not for the graphics. So do not skimp on lots of information, just make sure that it is well organized, easy-to-find, and that it is broken down into small chunks with lots of headlines and sub-headlines. 5. An Internet Marketing Expert with Web Usability Know-How Should Oversee the Design and Development of Your Web Site, Not The Graphic Designer or Programmer Improper layout and design of your Web site will really hurt you in the search engines. I had a graphic designer come to me with a big problem. He had designed a beautiful Web site with gorgeous graphics. It looked fabulous. But his client company was very upset because they were not getting listed at all in the search engines, they were getting no traffic and no results. I told the graphic designer that the way he had done the site doomed it from the very beginning. He had no knowledge at all about what kind of design you need to have to optimize your Web site for the search engines. The company wanted a cheap solution, unfortunately, the only solution I could offer to them to achieve their goals was to re-do their entire Web site. 6. A Good Web Site Can Bring Unforeseen Opportunities My Web site has evolved over the years. In 1999, someone who accidentally came upon my Web site called me from the East Coast. She had a very exciting speaking opportunity for me. She had printed out every page of my Web site and studied it. At that time, it must have been about 25-40 pages. Everything that I had on the Web site had increased my credibility to her. That speaking opportunity actually led to my position as Director of the Technology Advisor Network for MizBiz.com. Remember, you just never know who might come across your Web site and want to do business with you or present some other opportunity which could change your life. So, use your Web site to build credibility for you and your business or organization. Credibility enhancement is powerful marketing Please e-mail me or Call Me at 763-551-3969 to discuss my Web site analysis services. I will review your Web site and suggest marketing and design and content enhancements to the site. If you already have a Web designer, you can use my on your Web development team to make sure that your site is designed and programmed to maximize the likelihood of you achieving the business-building results you want. ### About Joan HolmanJoan Holman, The Internet Marketing Wizard, has over 18 years of experience in marketing and communications and has been specializing in the Internet since 1995. An Internet consultant, Web designer/developer and national speaker about the Internet, she was one of the first people in the world to have her own domain name and web site. Joan applies the knowledge base of the most successful Internet marketing minds on the planet along with her creative insights into developing powerful Internet marketing solutions for businesses. She is dedicated to helping create business success through the use of the Internet. Joan may be contacted by phone at 763-551-3969, by e-mail at joan@holman.com. Internet Consulting, Internet Marketing Strategies, Web Site Analysis, Web Site Design/Development, Speaking and Seminars to Help You Use the Internet for Business Success! Home / About Joan Holman / Consulting / Marketing / Web Design
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