While following some links doing some research for vendors and partnerships for an upcoming project, I came upon a really disturbing trend that I thought -might- have died in 2001, but alas for the people perpetrating this crime against themselves, no.
The amount of companies that I see putting google ads or other ads on their company site is alarming. There’s nothing worse as far as confusion to visitors than for you to have your services next to Google or other advertisements, that are many times for your competitors (even worse).
Regardless, ads on your company site are a definite no. Also, free hosting is a no, especially branded free hosting (such as “powered by GoDaddy”). Your brand is your most valuable asset – guard it well, and if you’re not willing to spend even $7-$25 a month on a basic plan, you obviously don’t value your business as much as you should. It’s pretty obvious why you’re not getting business (4 of 5 times, I run into these issues from posts, friends or blogs about how “nobody hires them.”)
The impression such techniques leave is a very negative – if you’re putting Google ads on your company site, you’re looking pretty desperate, regardless if you are. And I only say this because I know from experience, having made mistakes. Do not trade 50 cents today for the 50 dollars tomorrow; brand and business establishment take time, and probably more time than you think.
Where so many startups and small businesses go awry is that they dilute or confuse their message to customers around what they do and what benefit it is to hire you and have you do work for them and/or buy your stuff. Whether it’s through ads on the site, the messages you put out; keep your business and your personal brand focused.
Want to see someone really smart on personal branding? Check out this slideshow from BrandCamp ’08 by the personal branding expert Hajj Flemings. The podcast will be coming out next week with his presentation in it’s entirety, but wanted you to get a taste of what’s to come. I’ll be linking to the videos, audio and iTunes subscription links when they’re out.
