OUTHERN ELEGANCE ON THE WEB

I had so much fun writing about "Sprinkler Heads" as the notion of sprinkler heads and water improve and maintain what nature provides most of the time as an example of adding neat things to your web site to make it "sparkle and fresh". From the comments I received, it was a good series and I thought I would try a new theme and I call it "Southern Elegance".

Since my column is not only read in the circulation of theSavannah Business Report and Journal but on the Net as well, providing a little southern flair to the rest of world may be just right.

In Savannah and the rest of the Low Country and Coastal Empire, we are blessed with beautiful historic structures, tree lined drives and natures' gifts of water, marshes and the animal and other live creatures that inhabit our area. Just think of the possibilities to create a web site or add things to your site that would share our beauty with visitors to your site.

Let's explore the opportunities:

1. Email Post Cards: As I mentioned in my "sprinkler head" series, the adding of a post card feature is relatively simple and most of the programs to do this are either free or shareware (you pay a small fee for using the program). You take pictures of your favorite "southern" scene and add this to your post card offering. People like to send post cards. It makes an Email shine and much more thoughtful. As an example, The Crown Plaza in at http://www.cphiltonhead.com (upper right corner) some beautiful postcards that a visitor can send a card to friends up north or wherever.

2. Local Attractions: All of us have special places we have visited and most have captured a photo or two or brought home a shinny brochure. Even if you have only a memory, type it up and display your thoughts. Add a "local attractions" to your site either as part of your navigation or just a text "click through". People appreciate your taking the time to educate them or provide quality first hand information. We did this recently for a client in Augusta who owns a Comfort Inn and not only is she getting more "contact us for a reservation" requests but some very nice comments on the information people found when they "clicked" on her Local Attractions button. You can view this example at http://www.comfortinn.com

3. Mom's favorite Southern Fried Chicken recipe or a series of recipes can be added to your site. You would be surprised by the number of people who search on the net for new food ideas and just because you are selling real estate or whatever does not preclude someone visiting your site for other than what you are selling. They may decide to relocate to your hometown (my case Savannah, GA) and you might have a potential client.

4. Favorite "Links" are a popular addition you can add to your site. Like local attractions, you can insert links to sites that show Savannah or Hilton Head in a positive way. Again, the idea is to create content and freshness and hopefully, a loyal following of people who return to your site from time-to-time to see what you have added.

Thinking about what catches your attention when surfing the net for fun or for information is a good start in developing your "southern elegance" approach to recreating or redesigning your web site to get people to return often, and at some point take advantage of your product or service.