Since I do not have the reputation of Techcrunch yet, I don't have company execs and PR people e-mailing me links to their new web services. So for now, the most logical place to look for "fresh" stiff is the advertising roll of YeshivaWorldNews.

What: A free (for the customer) service for ordering food from participating restaurants in major Jewish communities.

The Skinny: What a great way to leverage the technology built by the principals of RapidOrders.com. It's win-win for everyone as it helps the restaurants fill more orders, much the same way that OpenTable helps eating establishments fill tables online. New restaurants are being added regularly to CrazyKosher and you can put in a request to see your favorites added. All participating restaurants have their menu available and the site keeps a record of your past orders for future reference. 

There is so much to say that I think I will do an in-depth on them at a later time.

New York Auto Mall has a new website

From a service standpoint, I would definitely recommend using NY Auto Mall as I had nothing but good experiences there. The prices were no-nonsense and very competitive, unlike your typical car dealership with their high=pressure salespeople and  deserved reputations.

As far as the website goes - I have a few suggestions:
1. Get a professional copywriter to write some good copy for you. The about page needs a lot of cleaning up (full of typos and statements that are less than meaningful).
2. Make sure that if you have a page up on the site that it actually works.
3. You have competition from other similar leasing and sales companies in your space. Your website should engage potential customers by pushing your unique selling point. Tell us what differentiates you from the other places. Put a little personality into the site. Profile your salespeople. Profile your customers and their stories.

Sell the experience. At least the one that I had.

Yiddele

Shomer Shabbos directory Yiddele has come on the scene courtesy of BSD Advertising and Public Relations.  The idea was to create a resource for Frum owned companies to be listed for FREE in an environment that is not invaded by halachic or tzniyus problems (similar to what I am trying to accomplish at MyNachas.com.

I like the fact that they get the internet business model. They are offering something of value for free, while getting subsidized by the paid ads around the page. Additionally, it leads to more business for the firm in the form of design work for potential clients that now already have a relationship with the company.

You may notice that a lot of the ads on the side link to larger full page ads hosted by Yiddele. It may seem like the easy way out, but you know what? I think it is a better and more cost efficient way to create web presence without spending the money on a site that looks nice but does nothing for you.

 
 

 

I have a confession to make...here it comes.

I am not a good copywriter

There. I said it. I feel better now.

There are a lot of things that I am not all that good at, but at the end of the day, I come to grips with the fact that nobody expects perfection out of me. So in the end, it isn't all that big a deal that I am not a copywriter (although, someday I may try my hand at it).

All too often, I see websites that are missing a very important component. There are a myriad of good companies out there providing clients with really nice websites. I get asked every now and then "Do you make websites?". Umm...er, well yeah I guess I do.

Truth is, it is not their fault that they ask in such an unsophisticated way. I shouldn't expect the caterer to understand my business. I pay him to make a beautiful party. That's his bread and butter.

Most people think that when you want a website, you go to a company that makes nice websites and you contract them to do the same for you. There is an important first step that seems to be missing way too often. What is your web strategy. After the initial glazing of the eyes, the answer essentially is:

    My competition is on the web.
    Everyone asks me why I don't have a site. Shouldn't I have one?
    People say that I can make more sales if I am on the web.

A nicely designed website is extremely important. But it won't help you all that much  if your copy is unreadable and full of typos. If you can't compel people and captivate them with the right words you may not win them over as a customer. So what was the point of spending all that money on a beautiful website?

Do yourself a favor. Hire a copywriter. Just as you won't be trying to design and program the site yourself, you shouldn't be writing the words yourself (unless you are really good at it). It's not anything to be ashamed about. The writer is not embarrassed that she is not good at painting her house. That's why she pays you to do it for her.

Hire a copywriter. You can't afford not to.