Investing in one's self, and one's business, are essential in business, and in life. Throughout my life I have always put a percentage of profits aside to reinvest back into the business. Today investing in yourself is even more of a necessity as market share shrinks, and competition grows fierce.
As stated in my previous writings, that I do try and help people in business, and in life. If someone comes to me with an open mind about Business Development, or Web Development, then there is almost a 100% chance that I can help them. This is why I love what I do. I get to help people, and get paid for doing so. If you follow my writings you know my favorite saying as it pertains to this is, "People don't know what they don't know."
My feelings are that if the biggest investment that I can make is in myself, then I had better get it right. It always amazes me how long it sometimes takes for some to catch on to something, while others are always two steps ahead of them, and making bank. It is a reality that Bill Gates, and others, have publicly stated that the web will do more in the next five years than the previous 15 years combined. I absolutely 100% believe that as the gospel truth. Everyone should be aware of the current massive acceleration of web usages, as well as the vast opportunities in the world of the web. The web can explode business potential in a few years time compared with the decades it used to take for the same growth not too long ago. The web represents massive opportunities, and growth potential if it is fully understood, and accepted as such.
In this day in age everyone shops, and does research online. No matter what they want the consumer knows surfing the web is the fastest, and most targeted approach to knowing which direction to go. Once the consumer/buyer does a search, they then start forming opinions on what they see the second that they click onto a website. If the website lacks a compelling presence then the buyer is off to another competitor's website before they even read a single word. It is just the way people are. If they see a bad website they immediately think fly by night company/individual, company's not making any money, ugly website means bad service, outdated website equals outdated and behind the times business practices/person, etc... It really is a place that you do not want to ever be categorized in. Sadly to say many are, and are totally unaware of it
The point is that a person, and their business, are judged by the quality of their website PERIOD. I don't make the rules I just follow them. There is no way to tell somebody that you are successful and great, while following up with, "Please go to my bad website, and see how good I look." It sounds hilarious, but truth be told that I see, and hear it all day long! It is absolutely amazing that most people with bad websites think they're good, think that they are "OK for Now", think that it doesn't really matter as long as they are out there, etc... These are all falsehoods that people want to believe so that they don't have to spend money, or they are stuck in the 1990s, and are being passed up on the fly by the people living in today's reality. So no they are not good for now, or anything else for that matter, because they are causing losses in revenue. I call these same behaviors and responses/excuses as being a penny rich, and a pound foolish. I really feel sorry for these folks as they will never see what their true potential really is with bad business representation. They are losing money day in, day out, and don't even know it is happening. It is a shame because it is not necessary.
The simple fact is that people are judged by their website, and any paper that comes out of their office. Their friends, relatives, prospects, etc. are all judging them even though they may not want to, or not openly saying that they have judged. It's a subconscious fact that they visually do this all day long with everything else. Whether shopping in the produce department, or for a new sofa set, they are forming opinions with all of their senses, and especially with their eyes. So websites are no exception to this rule. So with this said I know that a tired, outdated, unattractive, and non compelling website repels business rather than attracting it. The problem is it is repelling day, and night whenever the website is found. Maybe it is not a deal breaker on existing clients, but it sure was on the prospects that went to a competitor's website that looked 10,000 times better, and speaks volumes of professionalism.
Again this problem is a silent killer of lost business that someone will never have known that they lost.
I love helping people hit their stride, and helping them reach their true potential. However one will never ever see their true potential today without a great web presence.
