A regular request from people who I have been building websites for is to 'put a Twitter and a Facebook' link on their website.

[photo credit - webtreats on Flickr]

When I ask these clients for their Twitter and Facebook profiles, I find out that they either don't exist, or I get the request: 'please set one up for me'. Some clients do have a Facebook page or Twitter profile, but there is pretty much nothing going on there.

So what's my advice?  Don't do it. Just. Yet.

It is like inviting people to a party, but when they arrive there is no one there - just you - putting up a few balloons. Its a premature invitation.

Just having links which take your guests and prospects to no activity in another space, not only draws their attention away from your website, but it does not give a good impression (you only get one chance to make a good first impression).

So if this is your first website, get that finished properly first before you start thinking about other spaces. It is not difficult or expensive to add those social buttons later.

If you have an existing brand and website, by all means start to create and use your social profiles. THEN place the links on your website - once there is something to invite people to.

You also need to decide which social media presence you should devote time to. Go to where your prospects hang out. 

There is no point devoting time to a Facebook page if your prospects interact on LinkedIn.

If you don't intend to devote time to social media at this time, its fine - you can't do everything at once. Resist the pressure to put those icons up. Be honest with yourself and put it into your marketing plan for when you are realistically able to devote time to it. 

Put your energy into other things which don't require constant effort and interaction that social media does, such as ensuring you have your business listing up in directories and in particular your Google Places listing. This one action will make a huge difference in you being found by others who are searching for you. But more about that another time.

So 'fess up. Have you been seduced by the need to have those cute little icons? Tell us your story ...

onlineiq was invited to present to the South Australian branch of the Australian Physiotherapy Association as part of a Professional Development exercise for the Physiotherapy Business Association group.

It was a challenge to narrow this topic to include what most small business owners needed to know, without having their eyes glaze over from overwhelm (or worse - boredom!).

With a mixed audience of those practitioners having existing websites, and those contemplating their first one, it was important to ensure that both the basics were covered, and some 'next steps' and latest developments included for those with existing websites.

Many people were surprised at the skill set needed to put together a successful web presence, and while I covered some DIY options, the majority of people left feeling that it was best left to the professionals. 

Each of the important elements were discussed, starting with an assessment and plan to achieve the business goals specific to their business (think: architectural plan), design (think: the look & feel), coding (the wiring), copy-writing (the message), images (visuals), and website optimization (being found online).  This is indeed a broad skill-set.  Finding all of these in one individual while not impossible, is rare.  Some of the DIY options available today provide much in the way of design (using templates) and coding (by use of platforms), but having this all work together towards a successful business tool so it bends to your 'marketing' will can be another matter.

Many physio practitioners were not aware of how additional features can help not just with the public-facing site, but with internal business workflows - to streamline queries, newsletter subscriptions and online sales.

The feedback on our talk was great - 'pitched at just the right level', 'surprised I did not fall asleep' (well I took that as good feedback, anyway), and 'why would I do it myself?', when realizing how much cheaper development options had become in the the last few years.

Carolyn Coleman, the Manager of the South Australian Branch commented that  "... the presentation was extremely well received by all who attended.  Thank you for agreeing to having it videoed - as it will become part of the APA's online education offering for Physiotherapists right across Australia. You explained clearly why no-one in business can afford not to have a website now to be on an even playing field - and you gave our members the information they needed to take those first steps confidently."

If you are part of an industry body, small business group or not-for-profit group interested in having a similar talk, please contact Ursh on 0413 606 463.  Bookings for presentations available in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, and always open to invitations from other cities.