As I was thinking about my newly minted term, "the 4 website W's", I decided of course to google it to see if I am reinventing the wheel because let's face it - there's never something that's truly "new". Even the "Matrix" wasn't, even Apple's super-duper products aren't. And I came across this article here: http://smallbizbee.com/index/2009/05/05/ws-branding/, that talks about branding and its 4 Ws.
I do believe that there's a lot in common, generally speaking, but still, I claim that my concept definitely has some originality. First, because I really arrived at this conclusion after spending quite some time researching web optimization and second, because, unlike the author of the article, I talk about websites. :)).
So anyway, here is my take on the 4 W's:
What is it that all of your online visitors have in common? The fact that when they land on your website, the first thing they care to learn within seconds of landing is:
- What are you selling;
- Why is it better than what your competition is offering;
- Who is using it;
- What are they saying about you and your product.
Give it a try, go to a potential online vendor and try to simulate an "out-of-the-body" experience where you watch as the other "you" browses through that vendor's website:)).
Of course, since the web inevitably contributes to a big dose of anonymity - especially when it comes to new online vendors or super small businesses - users need some factual information that they can verify in the process of evaluating the potential vendor. So I am guessing that as you are trying to discover what your potential vendor is offering, you are also looking for facts, whose validity you can easily check - credibility elements (ah, they are paying for "verisign" and they are a member of BBB, so they must be serious; a-ha, one of their customers is a university dean and I can indeed find his name and credentials online, etc.).
But when it comes to the big guys - large, well established companies/organizations, it really boils down to these 4 W elements. That's how most of the people make their purchasing decisions.
So, do you want to make sure you address the 4 web W's on your website? I would definitely recommend that.
- Answering question W1: tell your visitor how you product meets his/her requirements - focus on key features and benefits;
- Answering W2: your product must have at least one feature that's better than the competition, right:)? Make sure you do spell it out clearly and succinctly and offer a test-drive or a recorded/guided demo option.
- Answering W3 and 4: make sure you have a nice set of customer/partner logos perched somewhere on your homepage or other well-visited pages. Do make sure you feature customer success stories, comments, testimonials or video. Provide access to a forum where customers share their experience, rate your product, etc.
Do you agree/disagree? Drop me a line, tell me what you think about my suggestions:)).
