Week 2 - HW #4 - Martha's COIN 72
Book 1 - Web Presence
Option C - Ch 4 & 7: Multiple Websites/Getting Help
INSTRUCTIONS Question 1 Question 2 Question 3
1. Do you have a Website and a blog and a something-else already?
In Fall quarter of 2006, I created narfe65.org, as part of my COIN 74 class taught by Robert Cormia. I used a template provided by Adobe Dreamweaver Suite 8 (p. 74 - start from a design template). Since then, the Website has had very little improvement, other than monthly updates of a newsletter and current reports, and links to and descriptions of the upcoming meetings. Periodically, I've taken photos of events or meetings, my partner created slideshows, and we posted them on the Website itself (see NARFE 65 photos). Unfortunately, this part of the Web is not systematically updated. We are several events behind! In July of 2010 I created a blog for our Chapter (see narfe65sf.blogspot.com), using tools provided by Blogger (now a Google company). I invited several officers to participate, and eight of us are listed as members of the blog. However, I'm the only one who has actually posted an article, and the last one posted was in July of 2011. In other words - this has not done the job it was expected to do! In addition, I never linked the blog to the Web, as I had intended to do. I have explored using WordPress tools (see p. 79), and at the least, hosting the blog on our own domain. However, I am not prepared to do this yet. In addition, there is a Picassa Web Album of photos from the blog (see photos), but those are only viewable if one has the link! So, the photos do not function well for a public website. I also created a Google Places page, and created a Google Analytics account, which I expect to study thoroughly this quarter.
What is the purpose of each?
The Website was created to provide basic information about our organization, and was designed to be a tool of recruitment. The intent was to provide information that prospective and current members could use as a resource. What we have discovered is that our organization has a much greater problem with retention, rather than recruitment, of membership - and this is the need we now seek to address. The photos were intended as a way to demonstrate what we do, and that we enjoy doing it. The blog was a second attempt to generate more participation by our membership. The first effort was to put a page within the Website itself (see Members Speak Out). However, some of the officers felt the sentiments expressed might offend some of our members, so I never linked this page to the Web for the public to see - but, I never removed it either!
How do you coordinate these miscellaneous pieces to maximize your marketing/credibility?
The problem is, there IS no coordination. That's why I'm taking this class!!
2. Have you identified yourself/company name in the policies/IDs at the bottom of the page?
The bottom of each of our Web pages includes a link to: About Us, Site Map (from 11/21/07), Privacy Policy, Email Us, a copyright notice (for 2007), and a JavaScript printing of when the page (site?) was last updated (1/3/12). Our Meetings page tells WHERE we meet, but includes photos of the location we met at two years ago! Our Contacts page includes a phone number and email address for all of our officers, and a link to it is visible on every page - though it may not be as obvious and intuitive as it should be.
Is your business writing in need of an editor?
I think our writing is pretty good - I'm the writer! But of course, I can always use additional eyes to edit it...
3. Is it time for a redesign of your total package that takes Web marketing into account (all the stuff we're studying about this quarter...)?
Absolutely - it is time for a redesign of this Web site, and an organized analysis of what we intend for it. Are we achieving our purposes? Could we do a better job? At the minimum, I'd like to add a search facility to the website (there is one there "saving a spot"), connect the blog to the Website, add a Membership section (see pp. 86-88), and add social media tools such as a Facebook page. I'd also like a separate photo account for public access. Most importantly, I'd like to see an increase in membership activity as a result of this website. The tracking tools we're learning about should help. I can't expect to accomplish all this in 12 weeks, but I can certainly make a start.
Would you or a Web developer & editor do this (think: time/costs/control)?
I will do this - I AM the Web developer/editor. The cost is time. But, it is a labor of love. AND, I'm learning in the process. One day I may be able to earn some extra income using the Web skills I'm practising here. I very much like the sense of control this gives me, of artistic achievement. I will miss it when I move on! But, a good re-design for the Website should include the ability for others to take over someday. For now, it's "too complex". So, on the back burner of my mind is the realization we need to simplify everything.
Comment on how you would communicate with the Web developer & editor and how you would use the Website Pre-Flight Checklist on pp. 69-70. (How would you find the right people to help, assure you get what you pay for, stay in control?)
The Pre-Flight Checklist seems designed for the setting up of a Website, so it may not be the most important thing for me to use. HOWEVER, I will check it out, as I start my final project. It looks like it will be useful to simply respond to each question, much as I've done with this assignment. What I found that appears to be more immediately useful is the SEO-FastStart document. I want to get a handle on how Websites are indexed and ranked. This will be helpful in attracting new members. I also expect to use the alternate textbook: SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING All-In-One for Dummies by Zimmerman and Shalin, 2010, Wiley/Dummies Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-470-58468-2.