Is it time to give up the standard Web site?  Is the online brochure a thing of the past?

In the age of social media, the brochure is still important. But static Web pages should only be a part of your Web site.  The law of Google requires regularly updated relevant content and lots of quality inbound links.  Search engine optimization, if it hasn’t already, ultimately will become the most important form of advertising — besides word of mouth — for every photographer.

Quality inbound links need to be earned;  Web site content must be updated to attract the attention of current search engine algorithms. More importantly people will not return to a Web site without the promise of future quality content.  People will not link to a sales pitch.

The standard Web site becomes forgotten and stale quickly.  A blog platform such as WordPress easily allows for the addition of new content  on a regular basis.  This is required in our new interactive online networking world.

I’ve replaced most of my Web sites with the WordPress platform. It makes the sites more social media friendly.  I use plugins that encourage people to post my content to Facebook and to tweet my photographs and writings.

One nice element of the blog platform is the RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feed.  RSS allows clients and prospects to subscribe, free of charge, to your updated information.  This helps to keep you fresh in the mind of prospects who care about your products or services.

If you use a true social media platform, your prospects will have multiple ways to comment, contact you or your staff.  The ability to build quality relationships encourages confidence and loyalty.  Static Web sites only offer information in one direction.

I still have a brochure component to my sites.  It always will be important to ask for the sale.  Many people will not buy unless you ask them, but few people like a sales pitch.  People want to be educated or entertained.  If they wish for more sales information, a brochure section should be provided with a strong call to action.

The days are numbered for the average, non-interactive Web site. Online customers and prospects will require a real relationship to do business. Technology has allowed people more free time and connectivity. The result is more of your time is required to build relationships.

Rosh

Tags: Advertising, google, rss, search engine Optimization, Web search engine, Website, word of mouth, World Wide Web

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 12:17 pm and is filed under New Media photographer, Seo, Web site, blogging, social media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.