Socks Tribe

12 Common Misconceptions in Building a Corporate Website

Misconception One: Staying Only at the Level of Publishing Corporate Image and Product Information

Many companies, in their process of adopting informatization, first think of posting product information, business briefs, and company promotional activities on their websites. This approach is no more than an additional electronic bulletin board and does not fully utilize the interactive functions of the internet. Since most traditional industry operators are conservative by nature, they tend to hesitate when given advice to take proactive actions. In fact, website construction should be approached from the perspective of online marketing. In other words, can we use the internet to provide a direct contact and communication channel between the enterprise and consumers outside of existing marketing channels, offering another sales model opportunity for the enterprise? Therefore, the website needed by traditional industries should be primarily considered from the perspective of marketing managers. The second angle is to consider it from a management perspective, such as whether the document transmission or resource allocation between various branches or subsidiaries across the province can be done through the website to improve operational performance.

Misconception Two: Filling Pages with Pictures, Java Programs, Flash, Music, etc.

In reality, with current internet speeds, adding too much FLASH or FLAME to a webpage, or attaching too many pictures, will inevitably affect the transmission speed. For customers who generally lack patience, they may easily choose to leave midway because they do not want to wait for the download to finish. In this way, even the most beautiful webpages won't attract any viewers! Based on our service experience, more and more customers prefer practical websites over overly flashy ones. They simply don't have the patience to wait for long downloads like SHOCKWAVE programs; additionally, a clean and well-organized webpage is easier to read, allowing customers to find the information they need quickly without being disturbed by excessive visual clutter. Therefore, corporate webpages don't need too much graphic design because if customers want to see beautiful pictures, there are suitable websites for that purpose. There's no need to waste the customer's time and money on downloads.

If you are running your own online business, the most important task of your website is to sell your products or services. Anything that deviates from this basic principle is just junk.

If you still disagree with my point of view, please check out any of the top 100 websites. Take Yahoo (雅虎), one of the most famous sites online, as an example. Have you ever seen Java programs or plugins on Yahoo's website, or heard music there? No further explanation needed, right?

Misconception Three: Not Updating for Long Periods of Time

If a website only updates its content once a month, who would be interested in visiting it? Of course, updating and maintaining content comes with a cost. However, since we are not building a portal site or a professional site, we don't need daily updates. If we can update weekly or every two weeks and note the update time or preview the next update time on the website, it will help inform customers when they can access the latest information online. Additionally, what makes a "live" website "live" also refers to having mechanisms for interaction with customers, such as email list systems, message boards, or customer service systems. It doesn't need to have all these features. We must choose appropriate mechanisms based on the website's positioning. At the same time, handling customer feedback promptly is crucial to avoid losing customer confidence in the website!

Misconception Four: Copying Competitors' Features

Many business owners often say, "Look how great my competitor XXX's website is, it has all sorts of functions and looks so nice. Hurry up and make me a better-looking website to compete with them!" This kind of thinking is truly pitiful. Websites are not made for beauty and definitely aren't about comparing which one looks prettier! The real key lies in what practical functions you hope the website can provide. As long as the website meets the initial design concept, shortens the operation process time, or improves work efficiency for the enterprise, it is a useful website. Especially if your ideas keep changing, regardless of whether your website is outsourced or built by the company's IT personnel, encountering such a boss will make the chances of the website succeeding extremely slim.