5 Common Mistakes By Professional Service Companies

1. Hawaii Web Design - 5 Common Mistakes By Professional Service Companies © 2013 SuperGeeks.biz : Call Us: (808) 531 - 4335 

2. We have a big event coming up soon and you’re invited!. It’s called ‘Digital Strategies for Professional Services' - Website Design in Las Vegas and Hawaii I will be moderating the breakfast seminar. But make sure you register asap. Seating is limited: Register at http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/event/92661#register The seminar will focus on professional service providers and how they should leverage the internet to find new customers and keep them. Topics include best practices and how to instructions for Hawaii web design, blogging, online advertising, mobile marketing and Search Engine Marketing Las Vegas With that event in mind, I would like to dedicate this column to the mistakes CPAs, attorneys, insurance agents and other professional service providers typically make when developing digital strategies for their businesses.

3. Mistake #1: We don’t need a digital presence. This is really silly. It’s imperative to have a website. A simple one is fine. But you must be online and it must be congruent with your brand. Occasionally I will bump into a ‘successful’ firm run by an ‘old school’ guy who doesn’t doesn’t believe ‘in all that web stuff.’ Can they survive asis? Yes, of course. But will they thrive over the midterm? Probably not. Will they attract and retain younger, more sophisticated talent? Definitely not. The good news is you don’t need to spend a lot of time nor effort to get going. Just hop on Google and see what pops up when you search on your company name. Is there a clear and concise landing page explaining who you are, what you do, why someone should use your services and how anyone can get in touch with you? Expect to spend $500 for a decent one page site that gets the job done.

4. Mistake #2: I don’t need to learn it. It’s amazing how narrow minded some business leaders can be. They are intelligent and can learn just about anything when motivated to do so. But when it comes to computers and the internet, too many people claim technophobia and punt responsibility to the bookkeeper, the friend of a friend, or a distant relative. Usually, that dismissive attitude leads to fumbled opportunity. Your business is hundred of thousands of dollars if not millions. As a business executive or owner, you took the time to know and love your financial statement because it was/is important. Give your IT the same level of commitment. You don’t need to become an expert. You just need to know enough to recognize one. Not sure where to start? Just ask Uncle Google.

5. Mistake #3: We can’t afford it. Cost shouldn’t be the primary consideration. Return on investment should. Don’t approach online marketing (SEO Las Vegas) as a black hole expense. Instead, view it as an opportunity to reach new clients in a more efficient way. Every aspect of your digital strategy should have a clear purpose and accountability. You would never hire someone just for the heck of it. Likewise, you shouldn’t build a website, start a blog, or advertise online without a clear mission trying and well defined goals. Your website should be your best employee working 24/7 delivering results. Ask yourself: What does success online look like? How will we measure it? Use those answers as the starting point for your campaign.

6. Mistake #4: Let’s form a committee. I showed a colleague the new collateral material for Island Air. His reply, “The new design is lame. It’s all about giving good meeting.” Anything done by committee tends to be more about posturing than about being bold. Because your online properties will be visible across the globe, you should convey as much personality as possible. Avoid the me-too syndrome. Mediocrity kills. Chances are your company was founded with youthful indignation and verve. The founder had an itch and solved it. As you look towards the web, take the opportunity to recapture your company’s original esprit de corps. If it’s pissing off someone, you are doing something right.

7. Mistake #5: We need it to be excellent. Most business leaders excelled in school because they were committed to excellence. They realized good grades came from being great not just good. In the business world, excellence can mean costly delays and ultimately missed opportunity. I have been guilty of this! I want everything to be pixel perfect. Perfection though can take time. And chasing perfection can take months if not years. As you march towards everything digital, don’t be overly concerned about being perfect. Speed is king in this world. Six months can mean the difference between a great idea and a copycat product.

8. Of course, fix the typos and all the bugs, but get the new site launched right away. You can always circle back later and improve it. Beat your competitors in the market space. Let them get stuck in the quagmire in the pursuit of excellence. Please join us at the August 9th breakfast seminar. I will share the secrets I’ve collected over the last 10 years as owner of SuperGeeks. And if at the event you mention to me that you read this column, I will do shoutout for you and your company. Hopefully, it brings you even more business.

9. Author Bio: • JAMES KERR, Founder and Chief Geek of SuperGeeks. Mr. Kerr's tech tips help businesses improve efficiencies and boost sales. Learn how your company can leverage search engine marketing. Visit SuperGeeks .