What is a 'zombie' website?
...it might not be from a Hammer House of Horror film but it could be a lot scarier as far as your business is concerned!
A "zombie" website is a website that has been created simply to 'get something up there quick!' (e.g. "we need a website!" shouts the boss and, hey presto!, one appears). It won't have been designed to serve a specific goal or purpose, it doesn't target the customer, it is not measurable against any meaningful metrics and, in short, it adds nothing to your business (in fact, it may even be harming it!). It is alive but not alive - a true zombie indeed!
What is wrong with having a zombie?
If you had a car which gave the same performance as a zombie website then you'd soon complain. The engine would splutter, the wheels would fall off, it would have NO chance of passing an mot - basically a driving disaster!
However, as the failings of websites are not as immediately obvious as those of a rent-a-wreck car, these zombie websites carry on walking the earth searching for fresh victims...
How do I know if I have a zombie?
If you answer "yes" to one or more of the following questions then you may well have a live (dead?!) zombie on your hands
- "Are you unable to find your website when you search on Google?"
- "Are you in the dark as to how many sales leads your site is generating?"
- "Did you simply give the web designer your current brochure and ask them to get on with it?"
Ok, I may have a zombie but it works!
...but that's the point, if it's not drawing in new leads or engaging with your existing customers then it is NOT working. Simple as that.
Fair enough, what should I do next then?
You need to get your web design company to prove that your website is actually alive. You need to know and track how many leads it generates. If you sell online this is easy (most of us don't though), otherwise you'll need a mechansim in place to record emails and phonecalls.
A website should be a highly polished shopfront in which to sell your key products and services. The design of this shopfront needs to be based on a crystal clear understanding of your target customer audience and what their needs are. Doing so means that your site will be more likely to convert casual website visitors into hot leads in your sales funnel. Your website needs to be measured and managed to keep it heading in the right direction - away from the land of the undead!
www.angelscareservices.co.uk
