Website Creativity: Why It Matters Now More than Ever

If one more business owner tells me their website sucks because they're just "too darn busy to deal with it", I'm gonna hurl. That's like saying, "I'm doing business in my dirty underwear because I'm too busy to get dressed." Realize it or not, your website (or lack thereof) is very often the first impression your prospect or peer will have of you. Now, it's no longer a matter of having a website -- it's a matter of having a great one.

Most websites are informative, but dull. Not surprising. The Internet today is not unlike TV in the early 50's when TV was the new media. Back then it was totally exciting to have a radio announcer in front of a camera. It was revolutionary to actually see the announcer holding the package of soap or toothpaste. What soon followed was "The Golden Age" of TV when things took a major creative leap forward.

There's a definite parallel today with the Internet.

Bill Bernbach, a great leader of that last creative evolution, stated;

"You can say the right thing about a product and nobody will listen. You've got to say it in such a way that people will feel it in their gut. Because if they don't feel it, nothing will happen. That's where the creativity comes in."

Applied to the Internet Bernbach's words resonate more than ever.

So, what makes a website effective and creatively exciting? That depends on who you talk to. A techie may say you need lots of flash animation. A designer may say it's about the right layout and color scheme. Someone else may argue it's all about blogs. When applied intelligently the latest design trend or technology is exciting. But have you ever clicked on a site you're eager to see only to have to sit through a self-indulgent 30-second flash intro? If the thinking behind the technology doesn't respectfully address the mindset of the person viewing it, it doesn't matter how cool it is.

An exciting, creative, effective website begins with a clear understanding of the target audience and the marketing objectives you're trying to reach. Only then does it take a fresh, simple, memorable creative approach that touches and moves that audience on an emotional level. Accomplishing that takes strategically smart, creative talent. So, if you don't have it, find it. The bottom line is that The Evolution has begun. Don't be left behind.

© 2005 John Follis. All rights reserved.

John Follis is one of the 12 "Best Advertising Minds of New York" as voted by The New York Ad Club. His campaigns are in 3 college textbooks, he has written for ADWEEK, and he has taught at 3 New York universities. Currently, John works on select projects, consults, and speaks. He may be reached at john@follisinc.com

For John's booklet: How to Attract and Excite Your Prospects: A Guide for Getting the Best Marketing Results, visit: http://www.follisinc.com/booklet.htm For consulting info, visit: Marketing Therapy: http://www.follisinc.com/therapy.htm For speaking info, visit: Follis Speaking: http://www.follisinc.com/speaking.htm

---

Tips On Effectively Organizing Your Navigation

Not all links are created equal.While all of your links... Read More

10 Tips for Killer Website Design

Does website design make a difference in how long people... Read More

Build It And Build It Cheap!

There are several very good reasons why you should consider... Read More

Creating Personal Web Sites

This is a two-part article about creating a web site... Read More

How to Make a Website (Minus the Headaches)

There is nothing wrong with making your own website if... Read More

Let Your Website Make You $$$ While You Sleep! and All That Other B.S.!

Well, you've got your product, started your home business, and... Read More

Web Page Building for Beginners 4

Page ranking by search engines such as Google are not... Read More

Keep Them Coming Back - Update Your Site

If you are anything like me, your website is a... Read More

Graphic Terms- The Basics Part I

You're almost set. The content of your website, e-book, or... Read More

Usability Lessons from the Hospital

Usability isn't only for Web design. It's also applicable in... Read More

If Content is King who is Queen?

It's been said again and again, when it comes to... Read More

Title Tags - How to Make Them More Effective

The title tags of your web pages are more important... Read More

Quality Website Design At An Affordable Price

I always have people asking me if I know of... Read More

Basic Web Design Principles

Home PageHome page should clearly indicate what the site is... Read More

3 Tips You Can Use Right Now to Improve Your Web Sites Usability

Studies done by Jakob Nielson the man touted as the,... Read More

Low Cost Web Design In Birmingham

There are many companies who build websites, all of which... Read More

9 Ways to Gain Your Visitors Respect

The internet is filled with sites and they are good... Read More

User Experience and Search Engines: If Your Home Page Could Only Talk

Dear web site visitor.I can't tell you how glad I... Read More

How to Choose a Website Design Company

The internet is full of web design companies pleading for... Read More

How to Force Your Visitors to Order Immediately!

This may comes as a surprise to you but, if... Read More

Building a One-page Website

You've designed your logo, and you're ready to print your... Read More

Power of Squeeze Pages for Realtors

Squeeze pages are a very hot topic in the internet... Read More

Simplify Your Web Site for Clarity and Ease of Use

There are plenty of web sites out there in which... Read More

Speed Up Or Lose Out! How To Improve Your Websites Download Speed

So your web site's online and you've got high rankings... Read More

Technology vs. Usability

When JV Media Design was formed, the year was 1995... Read More

11 Steps to Sticky Web Site!

An attractive and user-friendly Web site is crucial to attracting... Read More

Why a Website Design Speaks Volumes About Your Company?

Whether a business has just got off the ground or... Read More

How to Make Effective Use of Web Fonts

Writing for your web site is not the same as... Read More

How a Custom Designed Website Can Help Your Business

Over the years, the internet has grown into a marvelous... Read More

Welcoming Your Website Visitors

Imagine you're going on a blind date. You've heard wonderful... Read More

Create Favorite Icon

Favorite icon appears to the left of your link in... Read More

Building An Effective Furniture Sales Web Site

Web sites that feature products ? especially furniture or other... Read More

Got Web Traffic but Still Low Sales? Ten Ways to Selling Success - Part 2

Part one of this article is available at ... Read More