Websites are Dead
Posted on 08. Jul, 2007 by Jay OHare in Create Value, Differentiation, Experience, Web
In 1998 it was all about eyeballs. If you had a website that attracted a lot of visitors, you were considered a success – business model & profit be damned. Value to the customer? Who cares. All you needed was eyeballs to get funded. It was a crazy time and of course it didn’t last. But the web didn’t go away. 6 years from the tech melt down, web technologies are better than ever and the key term today is “value.” Websites have become web applications and web applications have become rich experiences. Usability, value and relevancy are all being played out on the web. It’s no longer good enough to have a “brochureware” website online. Your potential and current clients are expecting a lot more in terms of their online experience with your company. They want maps, interactivity, video, context, personal service. Don’t believe me? Take a good look at the graph below.
Century 21 was started in 1971.
Coldwell Banker was started in 1906.
Redfin was started in 2004.
This graph compares daily website traffic of the three companies. Redfin is not national and only serves a few markets and yet its site is getting as much traffic as these national giants. Why? That’s for you to figure out. And you should because they aren’t going away and I’m sure there are more companies like Redfin on the way. I believe a lot of their traction is due to taking a fresh perspective on the real estate business. They’ve created tools that users want, value and are easy to use. They create a rich experience for their users and guess what – those users tell their friends. And so on, and so on… until you have a graph like this:
The days of putting up info about yourself are over. It’s all about how you are going to solve problems using a rich experience. If you don’t, that’s fine, but someone else will and that’s what will get talked about and that’s where buyers & sellers will go.
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Jay brings an awareness of what is useful about emerging technological developments and how to utilize those products to enhance your program or product idea. Coupled with intelligence, wit and ability to get the job done Jay has proven to be a key asset in the formulation and implementation from idea to product.”~ Noreen Moore
Business Resource Director, Routt County Economic Development Cooperative
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Jay O’Hare is the founder and principal of Altera Performance Group, a marketing and technology company in Steamboat Springs, CO. Jay has fifteen years of experience in the internet world beginning with a tiny start up ISP before consulting for some of the largest companies in the world, including HP, OnStar, FedEx and Service Master. Currently, Jay focuses on helping businesses improve through innovative marketing that adds value to both the company and client relationships.
In addition, his passion for photography has translated into an asset he provides clients as well as editorial publications like DCD Home magazine and local businesses in Steamboat, CO.
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