How to keep a site fresh

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vwebworld

posts: 1237

Apr 24, 2007 4:56 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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House of Jerky`s beef jerky is always fresh.

But seriously folks ... Let`s consider some concepts about online success.

You do not have to appear first (or 50th) on search results to be successful online..nor does being first make you successful.
PR is only a number and general indicator of website popularity/backlinks... and not really related to a site`s content or keywords. Also, what you see as a PR # may or may not be an accurate representation... PR is not updated every hour, or day or even every month.
Changes to your site do not make Google or any other spider visit your site and the lack of changes does not stop spiders either. Other factors are in play and there are other ways to get bots to your site.

Success of a site is all about customer satisfaction, providing for the viewer`s desires, having a solution.... It is always a good practice to build a site that accurately presents your product, Is easy to use...viewer friendly, and connects with the viewer. If you do that, you will Get viewers who return over and over.

SUN is different than House of Jerky... SUN needs to change / provide different articles..that`s the purpose for the site. If it didn`t... people would not return. House of Jerky needs to provide accurate and relevant information about their jerky.. and a reason for people to buy.

People make a web site a success bots do not.

~Roland

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

CraigL

posts: 9051

Apr 25, 2007 12:13 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I get the idea that Google is driving many people, and rankings are often the Holy Grail of e-commerce hopefuls. But the fact remains that if you have a site that`s working, customers shopping regularly, and a growing market, "keeping it fresh" can be a low priority.

I also get the concept that if you notice a better way to set up the site, that`s a good thing. But the question is "better" by what standard? What defines "better?" Better than what?

I know a site for herbal supplements. They`re the only site offering a particular item I want. I found the company years ago, before the Web, and over those years, purchase this item maybe one....sometimes two times a year. It`s nice and convenient that I can now do it online, but it isn`t the only possible way to make the purchase.

I know the URL by heart, it always is pretty much the same, there aren`t any major changes, and I`d imagine their Google ranking is somewhere around "unknown." So? They`ve done plenty to build their "off-line" business, and they don`t have all their eggs in one basket, namely e-commerce.

All businesses should be diverse enough that they aren`t totally dependent on the Web. Having a clear, elegant, interesting and useful Web site is critical these days, often for credibility. But that`s just a small part of the overall picture.

nhgnikole

posts: 2660

Apr 25, 2007 2:11 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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That`s kind of interesting logic ... like my stuff works now, therefore I`ll leave it this way for the next 10 years.

Ask IBM how that`s going for them.

Do you still use Windows 95 too?

I never said your site has to continually update on a daily basis. I never said hers did either. But if the times are changing and your business plan is sitting still, you will get passed right on by. If people are purchasing with fingerprint technology in 10 years and you are still dealing in an all-cash business, you will get passed by. If suddenly the trend is purchasing from mobile devices and you are still using the same non-WAP website from 10 years ago ... you will get passed up.

This was my point about SUN. They can say, hey this place looks great, let`s leave it at that ... but if they just stop at that point, someone will come along with something better and pass them up. It`s not about "good enough" ... it`s about evolving to achieve true greatness.

And I am the LAST person who preach the importance of page rank. It is not an end all ... you were the one who started with changes affecting page rank. Don`t rest on your regulars ... bring them with you to that untapped market just waiting for you to show up.

CraigL

posts: 9051

Apr 25, 2007 2:33 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Okay, I see your point. So it seems when someone says "site," and "fresh," there`s more than one specific aspect under discussion. We`ve got "look and feel," with navigation and layout, but we`ve also got aesthetics and content.

IBM has stayed IBM for the past century, for the most part...when did they get invented? Everyone knows they sell business technology. They have the same logo, same blue color, and same mindset. Their Web site rarely changes.

But their product line changes. What they might highlight on their front page changes. But the page layout doesn`t.

So what do we mean by "fresh?" :-)

houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Apr 25, 2007 7:11 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Well, I guess that`s why, I meant the questions, to be "general questions". As in, Any rule of thumb for keeping a site fresh?

Nikole, I understand that you would like to see some things different on my site, giving it a fresh look to you. I am always trying to keep aware of what can be done, and what needs to be done, and I appreciate your input.

Roland does make changes to our site quite often, but nothing like changing descriptions. More like adding information.

Craig`s attitude sounds more like our customers, that would really have a problem with us if we tried to change a bunch of things.

Our site has gone through a lot of changes. Our first one, (with a different webmaster) didn`t look like this one! We`ve come a long way, and we hope to keep progressing with the times, always!

nhgnikole

posts: 2660

Apr 25, 2007 1:16 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Craig - IBM used to make Apple`s chips, but they couldn`t keep up with demand and technology. That is why I`m typing on an Intel-based Mac right now.

CraigL

posts: 9051

Apr 25, 2007 7:14 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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:-) I`m sure IBM isn`t too concerned about being unable to keep up with the Apple-Mac chip supply. They`re probably too busy building fabrication plants for AMD.

I think the Jerky site lends itself to a changing graphic for "specials." Other than that, it`s more about minor issues. I went there, clicked on the "Jerky Shop" tab, then couldn`t get back to the main page.

In my opinion, rather than changes and "freshness," if I can go to a site and become engrossed....wandering around looking at various pages, learning about the people behind the product, seeing pictures, and so forth, that`s when I evaluate the site as a quality site.

Actually, this whole discussion reminds me of similar issues when I worked retail in a big mall, long ago. It seemed every month or so one of the anchor stores would go through a facelift. I was in Penney`s, and we`d have the same problem every year or two.

The marketing folks or whomever, believed that they too should keep the look of the store fresh and new. The problem was customers got lost, couldn`t find the department they`d come to buy from, didn`t understand new signage, and generally got really irritated. Over time, as the "new" look gradually became an "old" look, people adjusted.

We sales people never could figure out why Penney`s and other stores like this went out of their way to piss people off. But....there you have it. Maybe the overhauls and new looks really generated more money or traffic? I dunno, I was just a peon on the sales floor. :-)

houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Apr 25, 2007 10:12 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Craig:.. the shop, not going back to home, we`re working on.. Did you feel like you could wander around and get to know the people behind it? Roland is working on a new shop.

New topics?

Guess I should just have our site critiqued!

*specials....If you highlight them more, do you sell more? Or, are you giving away your profit, because they were purchasing any way. I am always amazed how many people purchase without taking advantage of any "special" offered.

vwebworld

posts: 1237

Apr 25, 2007 11:33 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Back to houseofjerky.net

..... from the jerky shop page there is a link on bottom of the main content section that says "Return to House of Jerky`s website".

-------------------------

Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

houseofjerkyjanie

posts: 1150

Apr 26, 2007 10:49 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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What was I thinking?

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