Who's the Audience? Help figure it out...
Loyal blogreader Jacob is criticizing me for the approach I am taking on the www.jer979.com
The question, in the spirit of perpetual beta, is: what is the best experience to offer?
Options are:
- The Jer979 homepage offers the details of my service. Then, you click on Igniting the Revolution Blog to read the blog
- www.jer979.com homepage is the blog (current setup). You click on Why Jer979? (or some derivative) to get the details of my service offering
Jacob suggests Option 1, otherwise I will lose potential new readers/clients.
I argue for Option 2 to simplify life for existing readers (for non-subscribers).
What are your thoughts?
Here is the background dialogue (with permission, of course)
Jacob writes:
Why not consider a traditional web site that clearly states three crucial points: who you are, what you do for clients and why you’re good at it? Obviously, you’d have quick links to the crucial pieces – WOM Treatise, Butter/pillow/anvil, and the blog
While I understand that the blog is your key communication tool, it could be seen as supporting evidence to the three points that you have to drive home ASAP if you want to get in the door.
I think you’ll lose people if they have to click on Why Jer979? after going to www.jer979.com in order to learn about you.
My response focused on adding value to my current readers.
It’s a fair point, though I bristle at the notion that I do anything “traditional” :-)
I don’t like static websites as a home page, as I’d rather reward my loyal readers with fewer clicks (at least those who don’t subscribe).
His answer:
I was trying to appreciate the experience that someone I refer to your blog would have. I tell them to check it out, they go to jer979 and might not find the most recent posts to be relevant.
Will they continue to poke around until they find what they're looking for?
As long as the answer might be 'no' then you're creating a sub-optimal customer experience for that subset of visitors.
His points are very valid, particularly those that relate to the "attention economy" notion.
Curious to see what the community says...
Comments
Rick said on 5.29.2008 at 10:15 PM
I agree with Jacob however it seems like you've got that going on now. Is Jacob's point that www.jer979.com is too blog-like in look and feel? Easy solution: Embed your blog in www.ignitingtherevolution.com. It was available last time I checked.
Adam Schorr said on 5.30.2008 at 12:02 AM
All I know is that based on the link you setup for Jacob, he seems really cute. And quite feminine.
Gadi said on 5.30.2008 at 9:55 AM
To me it does not really matter. I have both bookmarked.
I hear Jacob's Arguement, but having been a loyal reader for so long, I think I know your thinking.
Similar to Scotch and Taxes night. You said that Josh should not have put his cards out, wait for people to ask.
Same thing here. Keep the page fresh. If they go for the info, they are hooked. If they get to the main page, it is just <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/04/silly-traffic.html">silly traffic</a>. If they click on the link that is who you are going to see.
My beef is that there is no page that has both blogs in one.
jeremy said on 5.30.2008 at 11:13 AM
Rick--not sure I need another domain name, but an interesting idea.
Gadi-I told you jer979.tumblr.com enjoy!