Mark Twain once wrote, “The 2 most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.”
I just learned this quote today. I’m surprised it didn’t get on my radar screen sooner because I think it’s one of the most thought provoking statements I’ve ever pondered. I’ll
most likely ponder it forever.
Mark Twain, in his wisdom is using this poignant statement to awaken our consciousness to examine our life’s purpose. “Why am I here? What is my purpose? What do I bring to my family, my friendships, the community, the country, the world? What do I bring to life’s table…or do I just take space at it? Have I figured it all out yet? Is there still more to do? Are there really any limitations? What’s next?”
Okay…so what’s this got to do with website creation?
Most websites aren’t created with a specific purpose in mind. They sit there and take up space. They cost money.
Most website don’t deliver good information to visitors and prospective clients, they don’t make an offer, they don’t add any kind of value at all. They exist only by the conversion of an idea, a moment of excitement and action (as most things are conceived and eventually born).
But just as a life is shaped by environment, awareness and experience, so too can a website become reshaped into a purposeful existence. In fact, a website which undergoes transformation, one which brings continually more value to the table, to the users’ experience, evolves into a purposeful piece of the online community, the customers, the industry, the world. this is a website which becomes more visible to more people because it is a positive force online just as a purposeful person becomes more visible in the world by way of a wake of positive influence.
What specific purposes can a website serve?
- Delivers useful resource for valuable information and content
- Collects contact information from people who are qualified clients
- Sells your product or service to people
- Teaches and/or inspire
- Entertains
- Establishes trust
As a marketer, I look at each of these elements as a means to establish a business relationship. Each approach should have an open door, an easy option for people to take a next step toward engaging you and your business: An offer, a free report, a coupon, an invitation. People must be told what you want them to do next. You can’t just expect them to follow the Yellow Brick Road. You need to tell them to follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow brick road. But first, your website must have a purpose and a destination to a specific place where the road takes them.
It doesn’t matter if your website was lacking in purpose when you first created it or had it created for you. All that matters is that you start now to reshape it so it starts producing a specific result you want to get. I hope you want new customers so you can get more sales and make more money.
The purpose of MY website is to deliver good, valuable information. With it, I hope to establish myself as a trusted friend and resource and perhaps you will some day engage me in consideration of serving you with my expert services.
