Cookie Cutter Websites

Integrity, World Wide Web
Lester R. Kendall Jr.; Free Website Evaluation

Cookie cutter websites are extremely common on the WEB. The ease and speed of site creation along with the interface that facilitates that creation for low-tech users are reasons for quick acceptance. Cookie cutter websites are useful for those website owners who sell or offer services strictly linked to a strong brand name. In contrast, the website owner who is attempting to capture market share with no brand name to bolster promotion will find cookie cutter sites a total frustration.

The concept that “a small business can level the field of competition with large firms on the WEB,” has driven the trend to website ownership. Some say, “everyone who is anyone has a website.” The cookie cutter companies have taken advantage of this idea. They do produce a “website” but do not produce positive results. I am not saying these companies directly deceived the public or that it includes all companies that offer this service. Nevertheless, a sin of omission was committed. That sin eventually will come back to bite the cookie cutter firms. A wave of frustrated website owners is rising.

These are the facts:

• The technology cookie cutter sites use is modern and innovative
• Search engines reject the new technology, they look for more traditional languages, html, flat files, text, content
• Cookie cutter sites will never be high in ranking for search engines, until search engine spider algorithms are strongly updated
• The only hope for cookie cutter sites is pay-per-click, advertisement or brand recognition.
• If you want to see your site listed in the free search engine keyword searches, re-create your website.

Cookie cutter websites place your information on the WEB. What good is a website if your information is never seen? Website grooming, and website creation must take into consideration certain undisputed characteristics that search engines look for in a website.

I predict a decline in general enthusiasm about website ownership. The non-technical do not understand why their hopes are not fulfilled in website ownership. Most website owners never will understand why the concept, “place your product or service on the WEB and succeed,” did not happen. I plan to let as many as possible know why they are frustrated. They were not told the whole story.

Copyright© 2005

Common Misconceptions

Integrity, World Wide Web
Lester R. Kendall; Free Website Evaluation

There are common misconceptions concerning web sites. It seems the hype of digital technology obscured good judgment. Concepts have been fed to the public, which were partial truths.

Common Misconceptions

• If we have a website, we will sell our products or services.
  
• If our website looks good, we will sell our products or services.

Web presence does not assure success. The vast majority of web-sites are never seen by customers. Millions of beautiful web-pages are ignored. Why is that? One reason is search engines do not look at web-sites like humans do. Search engines have traditionally looked for other details.

Frustrated (me) has reviewed hundreds of websites from the real estate, travel and leisure industries. An average 98% of those sites are poorly formatted. Search engines need instructions. Many companies offering “easy website creation” make their websites totally void of search engine friendly content.

Websites can succeed only when they are seen by customers. Here are some of the options available.

• Search Engine Placement- No webmaster can guarantee top placement in search engines. But, good practice in website creation drastically improves the odds for top search engine placement. Tricks and schemes for page ranking are not a wise strategy for long term. Keep the www open and free. This option is the most economical. Read more about website grooming. Read Google guidelines.

• Pay Per Click- Different companies and search engines offer pay per click advertising. If a cookie cutter site or a poorly formatted site wants to succeed, this is an option. Repair is the best alternative. Read more about pay per click.

Frustrated
Copyright© April, 2005

Web-site Owner Frustration

Integrity, World Wide Web
Lester R. Kendall Jr.; Free Website Evaluation

Over the last ten years, business has been swamped by web-craze. General opinion has been, “web presence is necessary.” Common perception was, “success and a website go hand in hand.” Lately opinion is taking a turn South. Frustration with low return on web-site investment is squelching enthusiasm.

Understand the general frustration of business owners. Billions of websites are lost in the WWW. This commentary will eventually address these truths:

• Common Misconceptions
• Cookie Cutter Websites, Dynamic Web-pages
• Search Engines vs. Pay Per Click
• Webmasters Ride the Wave
• Integrity vs. Profit
• Remedy for WWW Frustration

More to come soon.

Sincerely,
Frustrated
Copyright© March 28, 2005