Got a fresh idea for a great new website?
If you ask any web designer about how often somebody comes to them with the sentence “I’ve had a great idea for a website...” you’ll probably have let yourself in for a torrent of rants.
Everybody has ideas, so the first rule is don’t get carried away with your own. If you have an idea, research it. Look in to who’s doing similar things. Think about why it will appeal to people and why they’ll want to use the website.
Don’t think about the business, the best ideas come from people who when asked “how will you make money?” don’t have a good answer.
I see so many internet start-ups fail purely due to the fact the owner know absolutely sod all about marketing. OK, it might be a great idea, and well done, you have a fantastic website – now how are you marketing it? Starting a website is like starting any business, waiting for the phone to ring will not work.
So what do I suggest?
- Get yourself on twitter – build up a big network and make following you a worthwhile thing, people won’t subscribe to your constant advertisings (this method only works if you have a personality)
- Get down to your local networking meetings – you know those stuffy meeting at 6.30 am? They’re a waste of time. Get on 4Networking – it’s unstuffy and you might make a few sales but if you don’t you’ll extend you network massively and really spread the word.
- Viral is really cool. I don’t know anything about marketing when your target demographic is anything like my dad, but I know if you’re after the young market then a few funny videos and clever product placement can go a long way. Check out the Whites and smalls Youtube channel
- Stop trying to sell. If people don’t need your product stop trying to sell it to them. Target your customers.
If you follow the above, properly, I would hope your business might work a bit better – but what do I know? I just make websites...got a great idea? Contact me.
Submitted 14th March 2009
