Don’t let your website collect cyber dust.
Get results by setting goals.
Before we meet with a new client, we give them some homework. It’s a digital assessment worksheet that determines how well they understand their digital presence. Some typical questions include:
- How many visitors does your website receive?
- How is your business found online?
- Does your business show up on web search results?
- What kind of visitors does your website attract?
For some of our more savvy clients, they might know one or two of these questions. For a majority, they’re too busy doing what they do best (running their business) that their website collects … cyber dust. Instead of making the phone ring with interested customers, the website is costing them hosting fees instead.
If you have established goals for your business, doesn’t it make sense to set goals for your website as well?
It Starts With Your Pain Points
Our team is not shy about poking your pain points. Before we discuss solutions to stagnant marketing, we take the time to probe for critical information about what differentiates you from your competition, what's worked in the past and how goals are accomplished.
A legitimate marketing agency wants to know as much as possible about their clients. Every business has a personality, a culture, a unique value they bring to their customers. Just as you wouldn't trust a physician who doesn't care about your health history, you should look elsewhere for marketing services if you aren't asked a lot of questions about your business.
Before the first introductory meeting is over, our staff has a pulse on how to turn perceived weaknesses into opportunities through a robust digital presence.
Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Even if establishing and reaching goals is a new concept - it’s not too late to begin.
Try the S.M.A.R.T. goal setting technique:
Start by making your goals SPECIFIC. Set a number that makes sense. For example, we ask new clients to fill out specific goals formatted like this:
Increase _______________ (a key metric like revenue, sales, leads, etc. usually with a frequency like “per month” or “per week”) by ________ % from _______________ (a current raw number like “50”) to _______________ (the increased raw number) by ___________ (set time deadline) .
Example: “To Increase orders by 20%, from 5000 to 6000 orders per month by January 1”
Make them MEASURABLE. By adding both quantities and time-based milestones, you can make mid-course adjustments. Website analytics is the magic ingredient. Without fast, accurate data you can't measure. It’s helpful to set accountability by making sure that the team who sets the goals knows everything they need to know — including deadlines.
They must be ATTAINABLE. Know your past growth and set goals accordingly. Growth must not cost you the soul of your company.
Set RELEVANT goals. Are they in line with your core identity as a company? Do they synergize with what you are already good at?
And finally, TIMED. A goal without a deadline really isn't much of a goal. Setting deadlines also ensures intermediate steps in a reasonable amount of time for success.
What’s Next?
Pablo Picasso, one of the most creative souls of our time, once said, "Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success."
You'll grow your business if you set goals for your website and other digital marketing strategies. United WebWorks is here to help you through the process. Set up a free consultation today!
