Posted by:  Patty Cisco, Creative Catalyst

I’m convinced that one day several years ago, all of the senior care marketing leaders decided to get a Web site.  How else can you account for the fact that so many Web sites are so static and similar?

Why the big deal about Web sites?  Because a strategically designed Web Site is a great tool for reaching and impressing your leads.  You need to make having an outstanding Web site a priority today.  Your Web site is, in many situations, the first impression and experience leads will have with you.  Your Web site is one of the cheapest, most effective ways of communicating and marketing.  It’s your pipeline to new leads, prospective employees, and can reinforce customer loyalty with existing customers.

According to Garry McGovern and Rob Norton, authors of the book “Content Critical:  Gaining Competitive Advantage Through High-Quality Web Content”, visitors expect the following 7 things from their Web site experience:

·    Ability to find things easily
·    Receive advice
·    Up-to-date, quality content
·    Relevant and straightforward content
·    Ability to do things
·    Interaction with you
·    Privacy

Perhaps it’s time to take a look at your existing Web site and determine if you are focusing on the things that your customers care about most and that will keep them coming back.  With 2012 budget planning right around the corner, including a redesign of your Web site is a priority.  Today, creating a powerful custom web site won’t cost you any more than a weak, boring one.  There’s no excuse, nor can you afford a simple billboard site, when you can have a personalized lead generating site.  Our motto for the custom Web sites we design is… Does your Web site reflect your “unique” story?

What things do you think visitors want to find on your Web site?