This document discusses how websites, people, and updates have changed over time and provides tips for creating a great business website. It notes that in the 1990s, getting a website was enough, but that websites now need to engage users by telling good stories and focusing less on selling to the customer. The two most important rules are that the website should not be about the business itself but rather the customer, and that the best storytelling will win customers. It also provides recommendations for the types of content, tools, and actions needed to maintain a successful website.

1. Making A Great
Business Website
Hint: It’s Not About Your Business

2. Evolution of the Web
How Have Websites, People,
and Updates Changed?
What Are the Two
Most Important Rules?
What Do I Feed A Website?
What Tools Will Help?

3. How Websites Changed?
90’s – Just Get A Website

4. How Websites Changed?
Early 2000’s – eBrochure

5. How Websites Changed?
Mid-2000’s – The Blog

6. How Websites Changed?
Late-2000’s – It All Changed

7. How Websites Changed?
What Do You Think?
The Question That Changed It All...

8. How Have We Changed?
90’s – Hey, You’re Online!

9. How Have We Changed?
Early 2000’s –
I want Information

10. How Have We Changed?
Mid-2000’s –
I want News

11. How Have We Changed?
Late-2000’s –
I want a Voice...

12. How Have We Changed?
I WANT TO SHARE
and contribute, and interact, and play...

13. How Updates Changed?
What do you mean - change it?

14. How Updates Changed?
We changed it six months ago...

15. How Updates Changed?
News happens once a week, right?

16. How Updates Changed?
Who do we let talk?

17. How Updates Changed?
We don’t write content,
we manage online communities

18. TWO most important rules
about your business website
It’s Not About You.
Whoever Tells
the Best Story – Wins

19. It’s Not About Me?
For B2C Websites
Don’t want to be “sold”
Want “people like me” insight
May want to share insight or
contact you directly
Expect you to be on Facebook,
Twitter, and/or YouTube

20. Telling a Good Story?
For B2B Websites
Likely found you by WoM
referral and basic web search
Want to see examples of
success or demonstration
“If you HELP my business,
you’ll GET my business.”

21. Websites aren’t launched,
they’re born.

22. What Do I Feed A Website?
Good, well-balanced content
Crisp, fresh imagery
A touch of video doesn’t hurt
If the site has been good,
a social media dessert

23. What Tools Will Help?
Web-based Content
Management System (CMS)
Google Alerts, Analytics,
and Webmaster Tools
Proofreader or copywriter
Networking –
It’s not just for people anymore

24. 4 Things You Must Do
Google yourself, your business,
and your competition
Proofread your website
Check your domain name,
web host, and email setup
Ask every single new and
existing customer

25. Signalfire.us
Twitter.com/_Signalfire_
Facebook.com/CampSignalfire
1624 Hobbs Dr. | PO Box 491
Delavan, WI 53115
262.725.4500