Stages of web presence
A website is a website is a website right? In one word? NO. Nooooo… But that is hardly eloquent, not to mention that it would make a grammarian swear profusely, so here goes:
There are 6 stages to a website:
1. 1. Brochure: No interactivity – info about the business is static and hardly ever changes
2. 2. Limited interaction: Customer is able to communicate with the business online but only on a basic level (e.g. request a quote or meeting). Response is manual.
3. 3. Automated interaction: Customer can communicate with the business online in a more specific way (e.g. receive a quote based on customer requirements), and will receive a response. This response is automated.
4. 4.Integrated, real-time interaction: The customer is able to interact with all key business processes in real time, and the system will react to the customer requests, in real time. Business processes are automated, and the automation drives the business. Business is almost fully virtual – almost any aspect of the business can be accessed or interacted with virtually. E.g. Ster Kinekor, Kulula.
5. 5. Web = the business: The web is the main platform off which the business runs, and the business runs virtually while making extensive use of cloud computing technologies[i]. E.g. Google. The reality is that the first two levels do not give any real value-add to the customer or the business.
6. 6. Social Networking Platform: Users are able to interact with and respond to content and other people, rather than merely consume material. It has hyper-accelerated the ability to communicate and has drastically reduced the barrier of entry for on-line self expression.[ii]
I do hope you noticed our very subtle use of grey, here at Spiraleye we believe in the odd bit of brainwashing.
Why have a weightless flutter of facts on the biggest invention of our time when you, for a bit more time and money, can have something that actually works?
