SmallBusinessNewz

This post was inspired by an earlier one I made on the blog for the WebProNews eBusiness Directory, entitled, "Is Your Site Ready for Prime Time?".

I think this is a good question for small business owners to ask themselves before heavily promoting their site. As I've spent more and more time digging through directory submissions, I can't help but notice that so many people are trying to promote their sites, without even making sure their site is up to snuff.

This can really have the opposite effect from the one that they are hoping to achieve, because even if I did approve them (and many other directories probably would), what is a visitor going to think of their business if the site is poorly done?

The visitor is not going to want to buy anything from the site. They are likely to just hit their back button almost immediately. Is this the kind of exposure you want your brand to receive? I wouldn't think so.

You don't have to have the Sistine Chapel of websites to be successful, but it also helps if it's better than a pre-schooler's scribbling too. And design isn't the only factor. Spellchecking and grammar are very important when trying to build a credible image for your brand.

Make sure the site is up to date. If the newest thing on it is a blog post from 8 months ago, write a new one. Make sure it's current, because when a visitor lands on it, and it looks like it hasn't been touched in a long time, they're not going to buy.

These are the things you have to think about before you jump right into the marketing. Spend the necessary hours on the site before you spend the hours promoting it. I guarantee that your results will be more favorable.