IT Guru - Jim Stephens

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Category: Gurus

Published on Monday, 19 September 2011 17:24

Written by Diana De Rosa

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Jim Stephens is the owner of Mazzi Technologies, an interactive marketing and web services company based in Melville, LI, NY (www.mazzitechnologies.com).  In this column Jim will answer questions about web sites, web marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), social media, e-commerce and anything else dealing with the world of IT.

Q:  Jim, the world of web sites is a constantly changing landscape.  What do you feel people should be focusing on when they  are considering developing/building a web site.

A:  The value of a web site has gone from a simplistic listing to an interactive experience.  Visitors no longer want to see the name and address or the generic about a business.  They want to be able to ask questions about a product or service.  They want to be able to understand the product or service and how it might benefit them and not have a sales pitch thrown at them.  What they are looking for is information.

Nowadays, people are a lot more savvy in their research.  They will visit several web sites before they make any final decisions.  Most people aren't looking for superficial information.   They want to be more informed and they know the questions they want answered and they want to be able to find and read more detailed information.  And again, they don't want a sales pitch.  

If they go to a site that is screaming buy me, buy me, they will move on to the next site.  Instead they are looking for a company or individual they feel they can trust that will answer the questions honestly and accurately.  They want to know who that person or company is, how do they work and how that business or service can help them."

So the key issue is how can that business solve their problem.  

In closing Jim, suggests that you keep in mind that this should be an extension of customer service rather than a sales circular like you so often get in your mailbox. By that I mean the goal of a circular is to push a product.  The goal of the web site is to clarify what your needs are before suggesting a solution.

A good example of this is say you want to purchase an item but you are not sure which one would make the most sense for you.  When you go into the store the sales person needs to understand what your needs are before he or she suggests the best product for you.  That's the difference between getting a sales pitch or getting educated.

Feel free to ask IT Guru Jim Stephens any IT questions.  Just email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and keep your eye on this column for an answer.