Are corporate websites out?
I oversee the Facebook page for a non-profit organization I work for. Recently, someone made the comment that they check our Facebook page first for new content before checking the corporate website.
Are we to the point where Facebook/MySpace/Blogs, etc have taken the spot of the corporate website? Are stock photos, jolly ad copy, happy customer testimonials and mission statements all that’s left?
I believe we are at a point in time where the slumbering giant is irrelevant and the true essence of the brand can be found in social networks and consumer rating sites.
So the question is, how do you evolve your corporate site?
I’ve found that one way is by offering socially relevant media through your home source. Drive them to your site to a community based social experience. Some church use clips to drive people to video church, others use “commercials” for upcoming series to drive people to a few well placed articles or announcements for upcoming events…
Of course looking at what you guys do at your non-profit it’s more of a two fold challenge. It’s my belief that people will socially experience free media at your site if linked properly (I know I have)… but probably won’t be likely to buy. Social media experience has rarely convinced me to buy something unless it leads to a further level of social interaction.
An example of the exception. I recently had a facebook recommendation from a fellow designer to check out a program called macHeist. It’s an awesome program that helps me and makes me socially responsible all at the same time. I CAN CONNECT to social media then add value THROUGH social media.
Just my initial thoughts.
Great insight Ken, thanks for your response!