So, I've got this question...
...and I'm listening. We talk about business blogging as being a conversation with customers and clients and folks who simply have an interest. So...let's try one out.
Listen up you web developers...I want your take on this:
We're right in the middle of building a new site for a client and I had a question posed about putting names of folks who actually run the business on the website.
The more I thought about it...the more it seems to make sense. How often do we go to corporate websites and find NOTHING. No humans at all. Sure, there may be a "Contact Us" page...but a name?
What do you think? I'm really interested.
Michael P. Libbie - Insight Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations where you can fund real people just by clicking in.
Research would probably show that most companies hire someone named "Info" to answer all website contacts. What parent would name their kid "info". Of course, bigger families have "Sales", "Support" and the like.
The kicker? Some companies want all my information filled out in a form, but aren't willing to give me theirs? Get real, right?
Put the names on the site.
Posted by: Mike Sansone | June 12, 2007 at 12:39 PM
Mike: Somehow I knew we might hear from you. I've read your posts about this topic. Thanks for your input! MPL
Posted by: Michael Libbie | June 12, 2007 at 12:54 PM
I would love to have people's names on the sites. I'm doing some research on a few companies and I'm using several tools as well as the company site. It would be nice to know a couple of names such as the owner/president, HR person, maybe a couple of other executives. What's the big secret?
Posted by: Georgie | June 12, 2007 at 02:09 PM
I would love to have people's names on the sites. I'm doing some research on a few companies and I'm using several tools as well as the company site. It would be nice to know a couple of names such as the owner/president, HR person, maybe a couple of other executives. What's the big secret?
Posted by: Georgie | June 12, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Michael, my full-time work these days is for a local economic development organization. For folks who want to fire off a quick email and let us route them to the right person, we hired that "Info" guy/gal to handle in-coming email. But for those who are more thoughtful in their research and dig into the actual content of our site, they'll find that in many cases we have lists of names of entire departments (with photos!) and job titles so they can target their message to the right person. In that sense we've tried to cover everyone's needs.
Second thought: Your client may have employees in sensitive situations where they may not wish to be identified. You might want to have your client let the affected employees know the plan, to see if there are any objections. If there are none, a human "face" (even if just a name and email address) would probably be a nice touch.
Final thought: If you are at all attempting to make the site media-friendly, some background information on the company will be important - and will undoubtedly include information about folks in key leadership positions. So even if you decide not to list individual employees, there will still be some degree of "humanity" to the site.
~ Janet (formerly "info@")
Posted by: Janet Green | June 12, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Janet: Great comments! Love the change in your name..from "Info" to Janet...that is great! Thanks. MPL
Posted by: Michael Libbie | June 12, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Now I like what Janet (formally known as 'info) has to say! The sites that I did find with names and even photos were awesome! It's nice to see a smiling face beside the name!! Besides...what does it hurt? Don't most businesses (people) WANT to be seen??
Posted by: Georgie | June 12, 2007 at 03:45 PM
Georgie: Thanks...seems to be the mood of those of you who are reading the BLOG. We've posted in the past about "Info" and "Sales" and they should be fired and hire real people. Seems to make sense with the names on the site. Thanks for your interest and your opinion. MPL
Posted by: Michael Libbie | June 12, 2007 at 03:48 PM
Use the names, Michael. Just as frustrating for me is that many sites only have e-mail contact information. No mailing address. No phone number. That tells me they only want me to contact them on their own limited terms, that their interest in me is pretty much one-sided: the "don't call us, we'll call you" mentality. Sometimes I just want to know where they're located, sometimes I want to mail them something, sometimes I just want to talk to a real person. Those contact us forms are even worse. They don't even give you an e-mail address.
Posted by: Larry Lehmer | June 13, 2007 at 08:44 AM
AMEN, LARRY!!!!!
Posted by: Georgie | June 13, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Georgie and Larry: This is great information and we agree...it is astounding that folks don't do this. Thanks for your input!! MPL
Posted by: Michael Libbie | June 13, 2007 at 09:37 AM
My day job is in sales and unfortunately I'm in the position of making cold call inquiry-type calls. We know how thrilled any of us is to hear from a vendor. Talk about faceless and judged from the moment they speak! I deal with banks and it is the large banks especially that make it impossible for a person to identify a person. My experience says they want to keep their employees from being bothered with time-wasting calls.
unfortunately I'm even a customer for such a large bank and they make it impossible for customers to contact with a specific person. The process of filtering is meant to keep their employees on the straight and narrow productive route. Pencil to the paper, head down, so that they can make cold calls to other people to sell their services!!!!
Posted by: Sherry Borzo | June 13, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Thanks Sherry...let me ask a question back: How do they know the call is time wasting? It may be the very best thing, product or service to come along for their business but if they are not willing to even listen...how will they ever know? Help? MPL
Posted by: Michael Libbie | June 13, 2007 at 12:45 PM
I'll admit, I've been afraid of becoming the "face" of my own business on my web site. It can be a lot more comfortable hiding behind that "sales" moniker and a highly uninviting contact form.
Alas, I have come to the conclusion that the face of my business IS me, and I had better get used to that fact.
So, inevitably, the "sales" moniker is on it's way out, soon to be replaced with my goofy-looking mug (even some video), name, and email address. Customers will hopefully be assured that I stand behind what we do, and I'm not afraid to be available for their questions or concerns. On the other hand, spammers will be invited to go play in traffic. :)
Posted by: Chris Punke | June 13, 2007 at 03:35 PM
Chris: Thanks for your input. It is better, we believe to have upgraded to a person rather than info. Oh...and about your e-mail... You can always do the Chris@BusinessName dotcom or . com That keeps the spiders away...thanks for reading... MPL
Posted by: Michael Libbie | June 13, 2007 at 03:47 PM