Wes, I think it has to do with what a person expects of their website. The Craigslist point was to prove that function out plays “look and feel.” That is to say, there are tons of nice looking sites that don’t do a damn thing. Their owners, unless this was their intention aren’t happy about it either. I’ve never had a client say, “It’s pretty, but useless and that’s just want we wanted.”

Marketing is the issue if the site needs to do more than “market” a company or product. If it simplifies a process, integrates systems, furthers a sales process, acts as a loss liter etc. then marketing can get in the way at times, trying to make it a marketing tool.

We do what we know in life. So who is best to build a site? I think we’ll see an evolution in web firms (and have to a large degree) that don’t do JUST the marketing deal, but do have an in-house marketing staff.

Digital is our life now, for the foreseeable future. Social Media and websites often get clumped in with marketing because they (marketing) were the first to really tap into them as a service based businesses model.

The other comment you had was in regards to changing a business process (while talking to Tony). Marketing measures are changed less often than business models. I do agree with you in that no portion of a business should be in a vacuum though, truly.

My last point would be this – I bank. I bank with a company whom I like their online banking. I’ve NEVER read a word on their site that wasn’t tied to my online banking. Take away that NON MARKETING feature, I don’t bank there. I don’t think the design is great, I don’t care for the color palette and I’ve not been in the bank since opening accounts there.

But I can bank online and that is the online function that won my business, retains my business.

Ed – OK. So long as they don’t think it really helps them and they know they are putting money into, as you put it, “a dumb static page on the web with contact info, hours, location if nothing else.”

I don’t know I’ve ever had a client who wanted this or had it as an expectation; that isn’t to say they aren’t out there. However, seems like a problem waiting to happen on the “expectation front.”

“Marketers don’t always know how a business should work and run. They only know how to promote.”

Who then would you say is best qualified to design and develop a website?

“If I build my site around a marketing plan and 4 months later I change the marketing. Now I need a new website. If I have built my site around how my company works and it fits in with my sales process, then I don’t have to change my site for a long time.”

What about when you change your sales process or “how your company works”? Won’t that require a new site then?

Maybe I’m crazy, but I think that businesses should avoid having any aspect of their business operate in a vacuum. Marketing as much as sales should function as part of a businesses grander plan.

So, in reality “marketers” aren’t exactly the issue… yet, anyone who designs or develops a company website in a vacuum as opposed to intrinsically part of the businesses overall objectives. Right?

As for marketers trying to be web companies. I think you have to be weary of those people. Marketers don’t always know how a business should work and run. They only know how to promote. I think the potential downfall there is that a website planned by a marketer will end up out of date too soon.

For instance. If I build my site around a marketing plan and 4 months later I change the marketing. Now I need a new website. If I have built my site around how my company works and it fits in with my sales process, then I don’t have to change my site for a long time. On top of that. If I come up with a marketing initiative. I can make something temporary on a smaller scale that plugs in to my main site and spend far less money.

Lastly, I’m not saying marketers can’t get leads for companies. They can do awesome at that if they’re good at their job, but it’s not their responsibility to do close a lead. So they pretty much get paid for doing only half of the job.

I disagree that Marketing is the issue. The issue is people who don’t truly understand Marketing. Artists or technologists perhaps, but not marketers.

“Because the purpose of business is to create a customer, the business enterprise has two–and only two–basic functions: marketing and innovation.

“Marketing and innovation produce results; all the rest are costs. Marketing is the distinguishing, unique function of the business.” – Peter Drucker

The only other thing I disagree with is comparing craigslist with a small business website. I do agree that websites such as craigslist can exist without any impressive or even tolerable “look and feel”, but a small business is much different than craigslist.

Using your website as an example, many users simply would not take you seriously (or spend any time on your website) if it had poorly designed graphics/color scheme and impractical design architecture.

RT @garrett98: RT @microfit: Here’s three things to keep in mind when you’re ready for a new website! [link to post]

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RT @microfit: Here’s three things to keep in mind when you’re ready for a new website! [link to post]

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Here’s three things to keep in mind when you’re ready for a new website! [link to post]

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RT @garrett98: RT @microfit: 3 Keys to doing your next site – from one friend to another! [link to post]

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