We are now in the era of globalisation. Globalisation can be described as the selling of products and/or services across cities and nations around the world.
In the era of globalisation many businesses are now using the Internet as a medium to increase their sales, productivity and influence. It is reported that in the United Kingdom alone the Internet business is worth £100bn to the UK economy. Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/oct/28/net-worth-100bn-uk?fb=optOut
I believe one of the elements that will distinguish businesses be it a sole trader or PLC is the quality of their website/websites. As a Keynote Speaker and Author, I have seen some pretty dismal websites. Websites that were only relevant seven years ago and even then the websites were average at best.
In the last 24 months I have seen an increase of people calling themselves entrepreneurs. This definitely is not a bad thing, in fact it is fantastic but unfortunately many of the entrepreneur’s websites have fallen short of the mark called excellence.
In the beginning of my journey called distinction, I looked for websites which I could use as a bench-mark to start from but unfortunately I couldn’t find the excellence I required. Knowing the importance of a website as a first point of contact for potential clients, I decided that my two websites: www.onyianyadomediahouse.com and www.b1coaching.com would be websites which would break every form of average and dispel every notion of mediocrity. The reason for this was I would then create the platform of excellence from which others can use as a benchmark to start from.
Below are eight principles which I believe will give you an excellent and distinct website. These principles are for everybody who sells products or services online.
1. Never use pictures that have already been used on other social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. You should only use pictures which are new and have been taken by a professional. Your level of professionalism will show your potential clients that you are not a ‘fly by night’ local champion but in fact you are a ‘player’ on the global business field.
2. I strongly advise you to have a recorded introduction on your website, nothing more than five minutes which should be brief and friendly. This will inform the viewer who you are and what you are offering. Never use a mobile phone recording as a video introduction. No matter how steady the person’s hands are, there will always be signs of shaking.
3. Do not use an email address that reads .UK (for UK residents) but rather have an email address which reads .com. This will give your business a professional touch and it also shows that you are anticipating global custom.
4. It is important that you update your website at least every three years. My first website which was my B1 COACHING website has undergone a major transformation since its launch. To be fair, my first website is still better than many websites that are ‘doing the rounds’ today but that is why excellence leaves evidence which speaks for itself. A great man once said “being current is the currency of life” so it is essential you identify the top websites in your field, learn from them and actually try and better them. Please note I said learn and not copy. Unfortunately there are many people who don’t understand copyright laws and end up copying word for word what they see on other peoples website.
5. Do not have so much going on your website that after five minutes it becomes an arduous task to read the information. Keep it simple and effective but also strategic with excellence in mind. Always use a rich text for the words on your website. Do not use the text that can be compared to watching a grainy black and white TV. With the increase of android phones, it is vital that your website is user friendly on mobile phones.
6. Do not be a ‘jack of all trades and master of none’ i.e. Lawyer, Life Coach, Cook, Footballer, Entrepreneur, Pastor or a producer of Icelandic trams. A potential client needs to come to your website and immediately know what you do and what you sell.
7. It is essential that you speak about your accomplishments. It is important not to talk about what you have achieved seven years ago but rather show your recent achievements. We are in 2012, so if your only accomplishments are from 2005, it means you need to step up and out of your comfort zone so you can reach new levels of excellence.
8. Checking for grammar and spelling mistakes is an essential part of having a website of distinction. I regularly take 30 minutes every week and read through my websites to check for grammar and punctuation. This is essential because you do not want people to be put off by simple and obvious mistakes.
I believe the eight principles I have given will assist you as you strive to have a website or websites of excellence. Once you implement these principles your results of distinction will give your competitors no choice but to step up and change levels.
Are you creating new trends of excellence or following old forms of mediocrity?
www.b1coaching.com and www.onyianyadomediahouse.com
You can also follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/onyianyado777
I was suggested this web site by my cousin and I can tell you I am very impressed and have learnt so much, than you.
This is truly a brilliant and thought provoking blog, I definitely enjoyed reading your blog.
This is a very good blog, thanks for sharing, I would give this blog 10 out of 10, especially as an entrepreneur, thanks again Onyi.
What a fascinating and challenging read, you’ve made me look at my website with a real urgency. I doubt these principles can be found in a business book. You have taking the issue about websites to another level. Thank you Onyi I am challenged and also excited about my business.
I’ve learnt a lot of excellent stuff here. I have bookmarked your website for future reference, thanks again.
Thanks Onyi, I was actually going to invest $100 for a two day seminar but you have gave me answers to my many questions.
Thank you so much, I have learnt some excellent advice here.
Incredible blog, Thank you!
Hey Onyi, I came across your blog and I found it very useful it really did help me in regards to reconstructing my website, thank you for your teaching on excellence, it really is appreciated.
Great blog Onyi and great nuggets. I am intending to re-vamp my website so these tips are invaluable – thanks and everything you have done has such a spirit of excellence.
I stumbled upon your website and I have found your blog very helpful. It has helped me out loads and I will share with my friends.
I enjoyed reading this blog, I found it on yahoo. Thanks for the information, it’s really enchanced my vision and understanding.
Absolutely fantastic, I am challenged and can’t wait to launch my new website, thanks Onyi.
This is the best blog I have read in a very long time. I have looked at my website and I am embarrassed at what I see but at the same time relived that your teaching through this blog was brought to my attention. I love your writing style, very straightforward and easy to understand and learn from. I can’t wait to read The Doorway To Distinction, thanks Onyi, you truly are a man of excellence.
We at B.M.S are very impressed with your blog, it is really great. We have shared with our network and we are grateful for your teaching. Thank you Onyi for your wealth of knowledge.
Hi Onyi, I discovered your “Are you caught in the web of excellence or in the net of mediocrity? via Google and all i can say is thank you. I believe your teaching has saved me over a $1000. I will send new my new website once it is finished, thanks again Onyi.
I enjoyed reading this blog, I found it on yahoo, very challenging, thought provoking but at the same time necessary. I can’t wait to read your books.
My brother recommended this website to me. Your blog has really made my day. You can not imagine how much of this information I have digested. Thank you Onyi.
I found this blog after reading a post in my Ecademy group. It is very useful and I will tell others about this very powerful and informative blog. Keep up the good work.
Brilliant, absolutely wonderful.
I enjoyed reading this blog, I found it on yahoo. I am using your teaching for my new website, thanks Onyi I will send you a link once my site is launched.
It is truly a great and useful piece of information. Thank you for sharing.
This is a fantastic blog, I’m actually speechless, you have taken excellence to another level, thank you Mr. Distinction.
I must say you give radical, appropriate and brilliant info for entrepreneurs, excellent job Onyi.
Excellent blog, the layout of your website is superb.
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I regularly enjoy reading through your articles. I have been reading through this blog every chance I get. Thanks for the effort you have put in.
Keep excelling Onyi, this is awesome.
Fantastic article, thanks for the inspiration and teaching.