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Matching Modules with Needs

Successful Website Upgrades

Once your clients get beyond the basic ability to add pages, edit text, and insert media into their web pages, they will often begin to think about the many other things they'd like to do with their websites...

• The accountant wants to display personal tax tips on the front page of her site at pre-determined times of the year.
• The photographer wants to add a photo gallery/slideshow to his site.
• The electrical component manufacturer wants an online catalogue that allows customers to build a shopping list and request a quote.
• The lawyer has a library of legal articles that she'd like to make available for download.

As the person who is creating their website, the most valuable thing you can do for your client when they want to add a new function is to ask good questions. Taking the time to clarify your client's objectives and expectations will ensure a good match, a successful upgrade, and a happy customer.

Find out exactly what they want to accomplish by getting them to...

1. Describe the value they want to provide for their customer?

For example - the accountant wants to provide the personal tax information her existing and potential customers need, when they need it most. While the photographer knows that samples of his work generate confidence in potential clients.

2. Describe the business process(es) they want to tie into or support.

For example - the electrical component manufacturer sets prices based on a variety of factors and always provides a quote first. His website has to support his business model.

3. Describe the end result they want to accomplish.

For example - the lawyer is looking for new clients. By requiring contact information for downloads, she can follow up to offer additional information and begin to build a relationship.

Once you know what your client wants to accomplish with their website upgrade, you can determine which module to order and how it should be configured to best meet their needs. And don't let the name of a module limit you. It may have been created with a specific function in mind, but have a variety of uses. Get familiar with what each module can do (and what it can't do) so you can match the right module to your client's needs every time.

This article forms part of the Learning Series provided by Lewis Media Inc., the manufacturer of Bistro Web CMS^TM. For more information about Bistro, the Web CMS that makes it incredibly easy for designers and marketers to offer content managed websites, register for a free online information session or contact us today.