Content Managed Websites

Paul Rohrs_4

For those of you who have radiant websites, do you have them updated regularly with jobs, promo's, etc? Do any of you have a "content-managed" website that allows you to upload your own info directly?

I am working on a new website for Biggerstaffradiantsolutions.com and think this might be the ticket. Since we are looking to specifically grow via the web, I am wondering how many are using this facet of website design?

One thing that was mentioned to me was that this might allow each homeowner the ability to see the individual progress on their particular job that could be password protected. What a great thing to offer a client!

Are there items that looking back you think you should have stayed away from or focused on more? Is your website an investment that is paying off?

No wrong answers here, just looking for feedback.

Regards,

PR

George_10

We actively manage our web site

We do have the administration capability you speak of, however our use of this is to only enter text. We could easily have it changed to adding images.

Our web site has done very well for us. And we do show up well in the search engines. Maybe because it is such a niche market that we pursue.

Unknown

finally getting a decent site up blew the doors off of our business. don't procrastinate!

You're talking about some pretty advanced stuff there, it will require extensive custom web coding as well as some kind of integration with your business's internal computer systems I would imagine (in order to get images/info from what you are working on to the site). This would probably not be simple either.

For that kind of developement, don't shop the bottom line. Find a consultant/programming/hosting company, pay them what they ask, and do what they say.

For a simple little site like ours, that sort of thing isn't as critical. For a dynamic, organic source of info like you're talking, the complexity and potential problems grow exponentially and you need someone highly qualified to handle them.

Sounds awesome though.. best of luck to you!

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jerry scharf_3

my $.02

Paul,

Content managed web sites can be very cool, and they can be an albatross. The decisions you make on the style of the site get carved into code. Change the style, change the code. The coder needs to make coding decisions that implement style, so it's a major tooling and retooling.

Here's how I would do it:
Start simple at first and figure out what hits on the marketing end. Don't be afraid to try different things that aren't necessarily compatible. When you think you have a solid picture of what you want, pay someone to design the site with content management in mind. When you have worked out the bugs and details of the second round, then it would make sense to look at custom development.

The worst thing you can do is go into a development project without much of a clear idea of what you want. It's very expensive to you and frustrating to them to pay someone coding time to help you come up to speed on what you want to do.

good luck,
jerry

Constantin

Allow me to inject my $0.002 as well

I have been running my own web site for a couple of years now. I started with Netscape Communicator, then Dreamweaver, and now I'm using just BBEdit to manage the site.

Having a PHP engine or whatnot to manage entries for you makes a lot of sense. Quickly add content, the heart and soul of a web-site, w/o nearly as much need for technical knowledge as with traditional HTML. The downside of pre-templated stuff is the lack of creativity WRT layout. You get one form, one look for each section, and that's it. As for what system to use, I can't help you there, I write my own HTML...

If you were to go through with hiring someone to do the work for you, look first to see what their previous work looks like, just as you would evaluate a contractor. Bring reference sites with you, i.e. sites that incorporate the features, (and ideally, a look) that the web-site designer can be inspired by. Then consider asking for a site that uses CSS for content layout (which is where the industry is going, despite the kicking and screaming from Redmond)

I would also focus on content, content, content. People don't browse the internet to see flashy introductions, gee-whiz menu bars, etc., they want to see what you do. Don't make the site stand between what they want, make the paths obvious, make the menus easily accessible, etc. A nice face on top of it all is a bonus, not a requirement, IMHO. Ideally, have a wide scope of installations out there, so the consumer can say to themselves: "Aha! they've done one just like mine".

So gather those pictures, assemble the narrative (only you can do that), and lastly ensure that the previous' customers are OK with having their heating system shown off on the internet (it's a courtesy call) with or without attribution (most likely, w/o). Also, remember to obfuscate your e-mail address so that the scraper bots don't harvest it for their spamming masters. If you have any further questions, I'll be happy to help.

Unknown

jerry's advice is spot on.

the thing that destroys most developement projects (and I've been involved in a couple that this happened to) is a CLEAR, DEFINITIVE list of features and goals. The programmers can't build something that isn't defined, and every time you change your mind during the process.... well, it's just like getting halfway through a radiant install, and then the HO wants to go baseboard.... then forced air... then back to radiant... it gets expensive and messy quick.

Make a list, sit down with the coders and go over it. They can help you prioritize features.

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George_10

I have been heavily involved in marketing using the web

for some time now. Any web developer worth their salt could give you a tiny administration addition to your web site that would allow you to change images/text or add as many as you wanted. It is a matter of how the backside data base is built. I have been doing this in the Branson Resort area for some time and have countless resorts and theaters that use this simple addon. They know nothing about web sites workings other than the admin program that I add.

It is not complicated for an experienced web designeer.. My advice is ask lots of questions, look at other sites they have built and get competitive quotes. There is a huge range that these sites come in at. Basically there is no standard pricing. I would have a pro do it that has some longevity as this will be an ongoing project and you want good help when needed. Your relatives and friends are the last people I would use. Particularly if they are doing it for free.

Paul Pollets

2 Cents

I update the ART website at least once a year, often 2x. Mostly with new projects, and then archive the older ones. It's easier for me to send text and dig. pics to the webmasters and have them do the layout and posting. I review the new "page" before it's posted live. I use a Stat Server to analyze the data on who views the site, for how long, where they're from, and pages visited. At this point, the site brings in 40-50% of the customer leads. I use "metatags" to make searching easier for those looking for the services ART offers.

I'd like to learn how to "do it myself" and upload directly, but feel the learning curve will divert me from managing the business. And making sales. The fees for web updates are very reasonable. I'll pay them!! Gives me more time to promote the company.

Having one of the first contractor websites in N. America has given me a perspective to see what time has done to the internet, and 8 years of a dedicated website. It's still the easiest and least expensive marketing tool for promoting the business. It works particularly well in urban areas where many use computers. The more access to up-scale markets, the better success a well-designed website will have.

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Tom_35

Constantine,

Could you post your website address so that the Wallies can check it out? Obviously, you command a tremendous amount of respect on the WALL and I'm sure that I would not be the only one to continue learning from you.

Tom A

Weezbo

i am still collecting resources....

heres one ...see if it comes up with a google search... DavesFaves This guys got a slew of resources for development of sites..i think just perusing them would take years...:)

Constantin

Your wish is my command

Here is a link. It's an intentionally spartan web-site... the site I developed for my employer will go up in the near future and will incorporate fancy CSS-based menus and the like. If you're interested, I'll let you know when that happens. Cheers!

The Wire Nut

Notes make me nuts...

I would add, and this is personal opinion, is not to put anything flashy, especially a music or sound track. It's really bad.

Also, again my personal opinion, keep your politics off your business site. Whatever your politics, religion, feelings or non-business related opinions they don't belong on your business site, you're only going to piss off the other 50% of the public... If it's that important to you, then link to a personal site or blog...

Just a thought...

Larry_10

constantin...*~/:) ..somehow i became Larry ...now i am not

Knocking the name Larry buh how do i get to become me again *~/:) ? i am incapeable of telling you how this came about....seems this morning i was replying to Hot Rod on one of his posts the computer froze up i reset it and now i am Larry best thing i can think is that i have become an OSHA inspector due to popular request or that indeed I have been Appointed as Larry the plumbing inspector or future mayor of sim city ..The Weezbo *~/:)

Harold

Things to do/no do

There have been some very good points made (particularly by Constantin).

My suggestions/reinforcements:

Provide content that informs the customer. That means not just a name and phone number that says call for any meaningful information. People are using the web for instant gratification and to select at least a short list of vendors. They could get your number from the yellow pages. When I find content free sites I go elsewhere.

Never permit the word Flash (the programming environment) to appear in a proposed web site design (it makes the moving images - drawbacks are speed to load, nagging about the current version, generally does not contribute necessary information, etc.). Do not assume the user has a high speed internet access. It is becomming far more common; but do not assume this and use large and unneeded downloads as part of the basic screens. Do not fade. Do not annimate. Do not provide "intro screens".

Do not have a "click to enter the web site page". It makes no sense.

Have some people who are not "in the trade" navigate the site to see if it makes sense. Do this on paper (or a demo screen(s)) during the definition process with the coder. Don't write things that require a user to understand what you are talking about to find what you are talking about. Examples are things like "for more information select from the following products - whiplash line, gonzo series, primara features, Munchkin etc.". Manufacturers are usally the worst offenders of this approach. The customer has no way to select if they do not already know what these in-house or in-trade words mean. List selections by words that are meaningful to unknowledgable users.

People who hit your web site want information not "cool". Do nothing that isolates the user from the information. Never use sound. It is irritating, and a real problem to someone searching from their machine where they are employed. If they were lookinig for entertainment they would probably be playing a game and not accessing your site.

Make sure that the screens automatically size themselves. You can not assume a fixed display width. Many people operate with "favorites" on the left of the screen. Many do not. Resolution varies. You have to actively recognize the display area and adjust. If your programmer can not do that; go somewhere else.

If you include JPEG, PDF, or other graphic formats make sure the resolution of the resultant image is suitable. This means looking at it on various size and resolution screens. It is not at all uncommen to see scanned images in a PDF (particularly documentation) that simply are not readable.

Follow accepted conventions. Do not make text that is not a link look like the convention for a link (and vice versa).

Explain to the coder - Just because you can, does not mean you should.

Do not "require" information from the user that is simply none of your business, in order for them to get more information. An email address OR phone number and name (first only is OK) is all you should require. Anything else should be voluntary. If you demand other things, and they do not want to provide it, they will just fake it. If they want you to call, they will ask. The users privacy is paramont and they do not want the possibility of rabid sales people bugging them.

If you serve an area outside of your local calling area you ought to seriously consider a toll free number.

If you provide a phone number, have someone answer it. This does not include a number that could be answered by a 3 year-old that tries to resolve the need to talk to daddy or a "cute" or unintelligable answering machine message. Check out local services that will answer calls with a live body (note: the body must not be in India).

Remember the things you liked or disliked about sites you have used.