5 Tips to Avoid Holiday Website Meltdown

If you feel about your website or newsletter updates the way I do about Holiday shopping (ahhhhh!) than it's quite possible that you might choose to wait until the last minute to get things updated and miss out on some crucial business opportunities. Before you begin to panic, take a deep breath! The 5 tips below will help you successfully update your website or newsletter while leaving you plenty of time to relax and have fun.

Tip #1: Make Your Website/Newsletter A Priority
You've already invested either time, money or both in a newsletter or website. The truth is they can help your business be successful but ONLY if you work on them. If you find yourself procrastinating, ask yourself "what emotion do I have when I think about working on my website/newsletter?"

You might be surprised to find that you feel somewhat negative. Rather than looking at these tools as a drain on your time, try and see them for the golden opportunity they can be...to contact existing and potential customers and continue building relationships. Once you've built a loyal customer base, repeat customers can be a great source of recurring revenue.

Tip #2: Set Aside Time
This one is tricky. You may already have a full (or overflowing) plate of things to do in front of you. The key is to set aside a small amount of time on a frequency you can handle (daily, weekly). Rather than trying to simply complete your changes yourself each day or even once per week, use the time to put together a plan on how you will get your website or newsletter updated by your deadline.

Tip #3: Put Together A Plan
First things first: Your time is valuable. It's easy in today's busy world to become distracted by the phone, email or other interruptions. Make sure that when you are working on your website or newsletter that you delegate the phone to someone (if possible), close your email and focus on what you are doing.

Now that you're focused and clear on how often and for how much time you can devote to your website or newsletter, it's time to decide what you want the final product to look like. This fact alone will help you determine whether you are taking the right steps to reach your goal.

Ask yourself:

• "Do I know exactly what needs to be changed? Which products or services need to be added or removed?"
• "Do I need to change out graphics, text or both?"
• "Do I have the graphics or text I need to make these changes?"
• "If not, who do I contact to obtain them?"
  

You may not own your own business; you may be working for a small business owner or entrepreneur who has tasked you with completing the updates. You might need to coordinate with another employee or staff member to obtain the materials for the updates you need to make. Be sure to allow plenty of time for them to deliver the materials and for you to insert them.

If you are a small business owner doing the work yourself, your plan should include organizing the media (text/graphics) that will be updated. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time for this step (at least 30 minutes) if you already have all the materials.

Tip #4: Find Someone to Assist You
You don't have to do this alone, you can hire someone to help you. If your sacred gift is not updating your website or newsletter, there's no reason you should feel like you can't ask for help.

There are parts of the process that will need your attention (setting aside time, planning) however there ARE tasks that will not require you to be personally involved and can be delegated. In the long run, you'll accomplish more if you hire someone to do the other tasks so that you can stay focused on the parts of your business that do need your personal attention. (I can offer assistance with updating your site and newsletter so you aren't left feeling overwhelmed or alone).

Tip #5: Relax and Have Fun!
Take a deep breath and remember, this all doesn't have to get done in a single day. Fall has just begun and there is still plenty of time to see results from the holiday shopping season. That being said...procrastinating is the worst thing you can do for your business. If you only have a limited amount of time then simply start the process by clearing out any old emotions you have surrounding getting started and then set aside some time to plan.

GOOD LUCK!

Tip #2: What You Need To Succeed Part : Can You Spot Your Ideal Client?

Who is your ideal client? Do you know what kind of clients you want to attract into your business? I know that in the past I didn’t. I didn’t know that I could “choose” my clients. Maybe you feel the same way – aren’t all clients equal? No, they’re not.

In working with a business coach over these past few months, Michael and I have come to a greater appreciation of our clients and what they bring to us as a company. We also have come to learn that we simply couldn’t provide what some clients were looking for in their businesses and have had to say good-bye. Although that was a tough one because who wants to say farewell to a paying customer, our coach assured us that when we made space for the new clients, the ideal clients, to show up - they would. And guess what? They have and they are amazing. Some of you are new to Superb Web Design and we want to welcome you and thank you for being part of our growth and development as you allow us to assist you with yours!

What is an ideal client? Think of your most perfect client and write down everything that you like about them. Are they punctual? Do they pay on time? Are they enthusiastic about their business? Do they communicate well? Do they love to send business your way because they are natural referrers? You may even want to close your eyes and see your top 3 clients in your mind and think about what makes them great. Once you have written those qualities down, look at the list and you have the makings of your “ideal client.”

Does this work? It absolutely does and Lisa Bullock of Bullock Performance Horses is proof of that. Because Lisa fits the bill of an ideal client for us, we had great communication right from the start. Lisa felt comfortable telling me what she wanted from her site, her dreams, goals and vision for her business. She trusted us and we simply wanted to do what we do well – make our client’s dreams a reality. One look at the “spec” website we designed for her and it was love at first sight.

Does that always happen? No, but when you are working with your ideal client, it makes communication so much easier so if something is not right, you don’t feel defensive or out of sorts. You “get to work”…together, to make it right for both parties. It’s a partnership at its finest hour. We’re committed to their success and they feel that in everything we do. They’re honest and open with their expectations so everyone’s needs feel met. It’s a win-win for everyone.

Lisa is thrilled with her new website that is currently in development. We are excited to have Bullock Performance Horses as a client as we get to ride the web with her and win. Watch our website portfolio for Lisa’s website launch in mid-July! What about you? If there is anything we can do to help you grow your business to another level of success, please just let us know. And in the meantime, think about your ideal client. Because as you surround yourself with amazing people, like we have, it is a wonderful thing to experience in a business.