Occasionally I get asked, why would I want to replace my old website. My answer is simple…. Maybe you don’t!
But when we talk about it, often the answer is yes!
Let’s look at the difference:
You want an interactive, content-based, newspaper style website
You've been reading that websites, especially 'blog' websites, have become influential in business, in politics, in entertainment, and you wonder if your website qualifies.
Most websites: Probably not. Your website is a nice brochure for your company. It says nice things about you, but there's no real promotion or reason for people to want to discover you.
RYO Website: You post new stories daily, or weekly, or several times a month. Everything appears instantly, so it's very timely. Your website is seen in your industry as a resource of the latest news, ideas, and commentary on the industry. As you post new stories, search engines are automatically updated, and your website reorganizes itself to put the most emphasis on the newest stories, so your visitors get a new experience each time they come back.
You want to add a page to your website
You’ve just finished a presentation, and promised certain information will be on the website.
Most websites: You send an email, or make a phone call, to your website developer. Then you wait. Sometimes you wait a long time. When it’s finally done, it’s wrong. And you get a bill.
RYO Website: You log onto your website. You type in the information, or pasted it from a Word document. You click “Publish.”
Your new web page is online instantly.
You want your new web page promoted on your home page
Most websites: You send an email, or make a phone call, to your website developer. Then you wait. Sometimes you wait a long time. When it’s finally done, it’s wrong. And you get a bill.
RYO Website: You don’t do anything. When you created the page and clicked “Publish,”
- An excerpt was posted to your home page.
- Headlines were added to your sidebar links.
- It was submitted to the search engines.
- It will even be promoted occasionally at the bottom of other articles you put on your website.
All because you clicked “Publish.” Wow!
You want to change information on your website
You got a new phone number, or changed a price, or are offering a new service. And you need to make changes.
Most websites: You send an email, or make a phone call, to your website developer. Then you wait. Sometimes you wait a long time. When it’s finally done, it’s wrong. And you get a bill.
Is this beginning to sound familiar?
RYO Website: You log in. Find the page you want to change. Click “Edit” and make the changes. Click “Save.”
Poof! It’s done. Even the links on the other pages are updated.
You want to use RSS feeds to extend your reach
Most websites: You don't have RSS feeds. And there's no easy way to add them without spending a lot of money. Besides, your website guy says it's a waste of time.
RYO Website: RSS feeds are automatic. You don't even have to understand what they are, let alone how to do them.
How you feel about your “web guy”
Most websites: Trapped. At risk. At their mercy.
RYO Website: What web guy? You’re in charge!
Does that mean you’re alone?
Nope. You still have us.
And we set up a forum for our RYO Website clients where you can go to learn more about how to do what you want to do.
We even send out a series of emails after your website is done to give you help making everything work.
