Welcome to the March 2008 Edition of the ChamberExpress News to Use. Our goal: to provide ideas, information and news to help chambers of commerce succeed online.

 

Though 2008 is well underway, there’s still plenty of time to make some website resolutions. Below is a list of three basic website resolutions for this year. Whether you choose to tackle just one, or decide to add 20 more to the list, it’s always important to consider how you can help your website grow and evolve. 

Resolution #1: Ramp Up Your Web Analytics

Many people study their website stats daily, while others don’t realize this option even exists. If you haven’t checked in a while, or if you don’t even know what web analytics are, make a resolution to check your stats on a regular basis and start asking questions. By analyzing your site’s statistics, you can find patterns for opportunity to improve your site as you come to understand your visitors’ traffic patterns and where their interests are taking them. If you are already checking your stats regularly, consider upgrading your analytic program or finding new ways to analyze your data that will help your business grow. (The ChamberExpress team can help you get started with your web analytics tools.)

Resolution #2: Revamp Your Content

Set aside time to perform an in-depth overview and analysis of your web content. What needs to be updated? What needs to be added? Consider adding new technologies such as blogs and video. Also consider your business goals for the upcoming year and what can be added to your website to help you achieve those goals. Once you determine what needs to be done, set a deadline for updating the site and a plan to stick to it.

Resolution #3: Review Your Usability

After you examine your content, take a look at your usability. Try to approach the site with the mindset and “fresh eyes” of a first time visitor. Is the site easy to navigate? Do the links all work? Do the site functions help them find what they need to find? Ask some folks outside your organization to visit the site, click around, and give you their feedback as well. If you want to take this resolution a step further, consider surveying your users to find out what they like, dislike or would like to see.  

If you work for a small chamber, perhaps you feel that there are web tools which are simply not available to you, either for budget reasons or because of technical know-how. Web videos can definitely be one of those tools; however, for the value, the impact a web video can provide actually makes it a very cost effective addition to your site.  

What is the value of video? 

In a 2-minute or less video, you can easily show who you are and what you can do for your customers. Video conveys your message by sight and sound, allowing you to literally speak directly to your customers and you don’t have to worry that the message you hope to convey will be read and understood.

Where do we start? 

Producing a professional quality video is essential, so look at more than the price. First, research companies to produce the video. Make sure they have experience producing similar videos for other companies, and ask for references. Ask to see samples of the web and offline videos they have produced. Follow up with references to make sure the work requested was what was delivered. How do we determine content?  Once you decide on a video production company, you’ll need to decide which direction to go. The two most common videos are company overviews and customer testimonials.

A company overview is a great way to help your customers understand who you are, your services and more. The customer testimonial gives a “live” face to your business, bringing a human element to your business and their endorsement of it.

Excerpted from an online article by Aaron Weiche.

CCEO - Way To Go Ohio!;  Sunny San Diego Was A CE Town

Plenty of road trips and new business in February for the ChamberExpress team:

We enjoyed catching up with old friends and getting to meet so many new ones at the Western Association of Chamber Executives (W.A.C.E.) annual conference in San Diego. It was a great chance to show off the new ChamberExpress corporate video and share plenty of new ideas for making dynamic use of online systems.

We are pleased to show off one of our newest California Chamber Clients, www.claremontchamber.org if your chamber is needing a new look with the capability to update pictures, content, sell advertising, send emails etc., fill out a survey and let us see if we can help!

Ohio saw a great turnout for the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio (CCEO) 2008

Winter Conference & Annual Meeting Not only was the conference dynamic and information packed – it was also a chance for ChamberExpress to give “tours” of the new site it created for CCEO to new members (www.cceohio.com). Stop by and see if your chamber can pick up some pointers from this great organization.