Laura’s Comments (group member since Mar 21, 2010)

Laura’s comments from the Conversations on Website Conversion group.

@Marty - I work from home as well so I've thought about setting the backup to start when my work day officially ends. Then I can shut down the computer before going to bed.

Personally, I know there is so much that I can do to make my business more environmentally friendly. I have been resistant to think about these issues consciously because it's just one more thing I have to worry about in my hectic life.

My values are environmentally friendly, but I have some terrible habits that I need to work through. For example, I always leave my desktop on because it backs up remotely in the middle of the night. I need to find a way to back up my computer during the day that works for me. I don't like to back up while I'm working because it makes my computer horribly slow.

I agree that creating value to go along with your call to action is where the challenge lies, particularly if your business is service oriented. The primary call to action on my website offers a free initial consultation. Eventually, I would like to offer valuable content for download as a report or white paper. Depending on the type of business, you could offer coupons, samplers in the mail, instructional videos, etc.

I often comment on blog posts when I feel I have something to add to the conversation. That is, if it hasn't already been said by someone else.

Writing a blog is one of my goals this year. I have it scheduled on my project calendar to begin in April.

Marty wrote: "How does a person who's not a writer by trade become a creator of remarkable content? I do know that the more you read the better your writing skills - but are there other things we could/should be doing to give our writing that boost? "

After reading this chapter, I felt inspired to start writing a journal again. I'm talking about pen to paper writing about whatever just to refresh my writing skills. Sadly, that was weeks ago, and I still haven't started. With a full-time business, a busy family, and a very active 16 month old, I completely forgot my intention to start writing. I suppose I should put it on my To Do List.

In my opinion, writing is a skill that takes lots of practice to perfect.

Marty wrote: "We've been trying to move clients into more of a "hub" type website too - but convincing clients has been a bit of an uphill battle "

Same here. On the other hand, I am seeing an increase in the number of clients who are open to suggestions.

I think I'm right there with you, Marty. One of the questions he asks at the end of the chapter is "What are you the world's best at?".

Umm. That's a head scratcher. Which is funny because I ask my clients similar questions all the time. I would never presume to be the world's best at anything I do in business. On the other hand, we have a page on our website that outlines what differentiates us from a lot of other web designers.

My business website is still more of a megaphone. However, I think I am slowly moving in the right direction. I get traffic from Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook, as well as some smaller social networking sites.

I still don't have a blog for my business, but I am planning to set one up in the next couple of months. Without a blog on my website, the only page that changes much at all is the portfolio page.

On the other, I have several clients who would benefit more than I would from a "hub" type website. This chapter got me thinking more about what I can do for them than what I can do with my own site.

I don't seek out product information using social media, but I first hear of products that way. Because of who I keep up with, most of those products tend to be books or tech-related stuff. When I am seeking specific information about a product, I search Google.