3 Things For May 3rd, 2024
It’s Both Business & Personal, Get Ready For Your Website Redesign, Spring Clean Your Digital Assets.
It Is Personal!
We hear it all the time: it’s business, it’s not personal. And I can understand the import, sentiment, and intent of this statement. Sometimes it is very beneficial to take as much emotion out of a decision as possible in order to more easily do what is best for the business. But my business (and yours) is personal. Your business/brand is an extension of you and your brand. And the work you do is personal to all the people you help on a regular basis. So, when we make a decision that is not in the best interest of our business, it absolutely is personal and its effects can be devastating.
The area where I see this being the most difficult is employees. At one point, I was speaking to someone I trusted about a team member that I was struggling with. I said: “If I were to make the best decision for my business I’d……” And, yes, I stopped mid-sentence hearing the words coming out of my mouth. The decision I would make if it was based on the best interest of the business was to let this individual go. And it felt harsh, because a person is involved, and it isn’t something to be taken lightly.
But the person wasn’t right for my business, and the work wasn’t right for the person, and I wasn’t doing anyone any favors by not doing the hard thing.
The wrong people will devastate a culture, will devastate the customer experience, and will devastate the brand. And your brand is your reputation.
Your business is your baby, it is to be cared for like the precious entity that it is. It was created by humans for humans, and the humans will make it or break it. So yes, it’s business but it’s also very very personal.
Getting Ready for Your Website Project.
At Strategy 3, we believe that a well-prepared client is essential for a successful web design project. Here are some key tips to help you prepare effectively for the development of your new website:
1. Define Your Goals
Determine the main objective of your website. Is it to inform, to sell products, or perhaps to engage more closely with your customers? Identifying your target audience is also critical, as it shapes the design and functionality of the site.
2. Gather Your Content
Content is crucial for any website. Make sure to have all your text, images, and videos prepared before the design process starts. This helps speed up the project and ensures that we fully grasp your vision.
3. Develop Your Brand Guidelines
Ensure your website reflects your brand’s identity. Choose colors and fonts that resonate with your brand and feature your logo prominently for strong brand recognition. If you need help with branding, Strategy 3 offers packages to refine your visual identity before website development. Learn more about our Brand Identity packages here.
4. Think About Functionality
Consider what specific features you need on your site, such as contact forms, photo galleries and 3rd party integrations. Knowing these requirements upfront aids in creating a more functional and tailored website.
5. Set Your Timeline
Have a clear budget and a realistic timeline for the development of your website. Factor in time for revisions and testing to ensure everything is perfect before going live.
6. Establish Communication Channels
Effective communication is vital for the success of your project. Assign a primary contact within your organization to handle all interactions with our team. This ensures a streamlined process and clear communication throughout the project.
As you get started to create or refresh your online presence, Strategy 3 is here to guide and support you every step of the way. From initial planning to final implementation, our team is dedicated to delivering a website that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. Ready to get started? Contact us today to discuss how we can bring your digital vision to life, ensuring a seamless and successful web project.
Spring Clean Your Digital Assets
Everyone knows about ‘spring cleaning.’ It’s a great time for renewing your living or workspace. As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, spring cleaning can help you feel better, boost efficiency, simplify things, and in some cases save you money by helping you focus on essentials. The same goes for our digital workspace.
In today’s digital world, if you have a business, chances are you accumulate vast amounts of digital assets every day. A digital asset is typically a piece of digital content, like images, logos, graphics, videos, documents, spreadsheets, apps, recordings, links, emails, contacts, reports, etc. These assets are essential tools for marketing, communication, and business operations, but can become overwhelming if not properly managed.
Disorganized digital assets can waste time and energy. Searching for files, duplicating work, and dealing with cluttered folders can slow productivity in day-to-day computer work, but there are other types of digital assets you may not have considered, such as social media, online listings, links on your website, or your marketplace on Google.
If you have a business and appear on Google, the information needs to be kept current, such as hours, photos, and industry-specific information (such as menus if you’re a restaurant). If someone shows up at your business because Google said you were open only to find you closed, chances are they won’t be back. Not only will they not come back—you won’t even know you lost them!
The same goes for inaccurate photos, broken links on your website, slow load times, lost documents, difficulty paying online, etc. A well-organized digital system reflects positively on your professionalism and the reputation of your business. It shows you respect your own time and resources, and that you value the time and trust of your clients or partners.
Tips for Digital Asset Organization
Digital asset organization works best when it’s planned. Set aside a week or month to declutter, back up, and restructure your digital assets. Make it easy to navigate your digital asset library by using consistent naming conventions and use a dedicated digital asset management tool or cloud storage platform (such as Dropbox or Google Drive) to keep your assets organized and accessible. Eliminate anything you no longer use such as apps or online services, archive old documents and photographs, and check to ensure all privacy statements or permission regulations are up to date.
When it comes to your social media, website, and online presence, it’s best to hire someone who specializes in maintaining those platforms. Regular scrutiny by a professional will help remove any outdated, duplicate, or unnecessary assets, to keep your system clean and efficient.
Bring In the New
Just like spring cleaning your home is an opportunity to upgrade and refresh, do the same for your business. Such as new photos, refreshing your branding materials, revisiting your mission statement, or having your website redesigned. The amount of assets we create and accumulate is staggering, but with a little organization, you can keep it under control. Take the time to refocus, reflect, and create a balance between productivity and profitability. By working efficiently, you will not only contribute to your financial success, but your business will shine.
Kate Miner
(253) 219-2211
kate@strategy3degrees.com