What makes a good website?

Ok so recently, I've been thinking about this MSN.ca and Sympatico.ca divorce again - and while i pondered where and how i might be splitting my client's ad spend dollars in the near future...(in an elevator, on the way to my desk...because i do think of work 24.7)

I got to thinkin': What makes a portal worth investing in?
Is it part traffic for that critical mass, or is it the content on the portal? Or the brand that it stands for? For that matter, I can ask a much larger question - is it the human masses that make the site, or the content?

I cant believe I'm writing this...but is it the chicken or the egg?

Ok, so I'm saying this cuz many clients out there tell their digi planners they want "big websites" on their online plans. Call it reach, premium positions...whatevs.

But I'm wondering - what does the website want? Do they want traffic? Pageviews? Or quality articles and content? My guess would be for the latter.

Basic 101 breakdown of the business model:
Traffic is caused by incoming ip's consuming content, leading to pageviews, which produce ad revenue. So a site's business model is both based on the quality of its content and pageviews. Ergo, the better content you have, the easier it is for incoming traffic to exist, the more you sell, the more cash you make.

But what if a sites inventory isn't sold out?
Do you still need the traffic?
Do you still need to hire that writer and publish that amazing article they wrote (and subsequently, pay the $3/word they're freelancing for)?
What if something goes viral and all of a sudden your pvs (pageviews for the digitally challenged) skyrocket out of control? Great news, but lightning cant always strike twice...
Do you shut the page down, or divert traffic, or do you keep the page and content up to the detriment (lost opportunity cost) of your potential ad revenues?

I got to thinking cuz on that elevator ride up to my desk, I came across a piece of elevator news stating that Microsoft would ease up on its stronghold of the browser market on its systems giving users the option to install whatever browser they wanted. And my first reaction was to think of what would happen to MSN.ca if this EU issue came to Canadia land.

And now that this is happening, i'm thinking...why will it suck - cuz the pageviews wont be there, or cuz sympatico's got most of the good editors?

Ok its late and this is turning quasi-ranting....

@ me your thoughts...

Eureka!

For months I’ve been debating what I should write about. At first I was concerned about what would interest people- what would they (or you) like to read about. The problem with that strategy is that is both entirely scary and presumptuous. Would I ever try to write to willingly impress people? Or show how smart/brilliant/amazing I am? I don’t think so. That’s selfish.

(Also, having a blog just for the sake of it is silly. And let’s just say that whenever I can spot a sign of futility, I get irresponsibly lazy.)

As I pondered what DID interest me today (aside from my Twitter feed, period movies or gin-tonics), I realized that my liveliest and most passionate discussions lately have been about people, how they communicate, and how they gather and use information. So many things come into play: education, personal background, general interest, common values, information sources, emerging communication platforms, etc. This mangled vision of Media & Communications is what thrills me. I’m bombarded everyday: I listen, read, watch and react. I think. I share. I argue. I observe. I am constantly re-evaluating what I know, and desperately trying to find some kind of unifying understanding of how it all works.

I realized that to know something, you have to start somewhere. Like any good argument I need a premise, a foundation. My premise then will be this blog, and it will evolve as my own arguments do, to help me gain some insight into what this vision of Media is. I look forward to seeing where this goes, and exchanging with you, my contributor Paolo and hearing your comments. Should be a fun journey!

CB

PS: And Paolo, in response to your letter there IS another blog post coming right after this. About actual stuff. I swear.

Toyota Belgium is Crazy on Interactive

You know you're way too appealing to tech nerds when you start making fonts.

iQ font - When driving becomes writing / Full making of from wireless on Vimeo.

Media Reach and Frequency

Yes, this is what the media department in a large advertising agency is like on a daily basis.

Corona Incentive - Breaking News.

Beer season's getting intense out there. And Corona has put all their best marketing brass together to form an impressive offering to differentiate their product (compared to other lime offerings recently released to the beer co marketplace).

Corona's GWP (Gift With Purchase) is causing havoc in stores across Canada, as citrus fruit vendors foresee lime shortages due to these intense marketing efforts.

"The positive side to all this chaos, is that there'll be alot less scurvey in Canada" says one fruit vendor who wished to remain nameless.

Brought to you by the buzzwords: Synergy and ROI.

Open letter to my Blog Co-writer

Dear @CatherineBarry,

I remember the day we met - to talk about a blog we could start together that is. You and your moleskin you were so proud of. The notes you made about potential posts. Or that time we met to discuss and our server brought you that nasty looking breakfast sausage.


I also remember your first post some 8 weeks ago - and how proud you were to finally put it up. Your gusto about how your article pulled more pageviews than mine during that week got me excited to see you talk about our blog.


I'm kindof wondering where ya went now.
Where are you @CatherineBarry
Google Latitude isn't working for me...

-Paolo

Nike Customer dis-service?

Ok so Paolo did somethign stupid and bought the Nike +iPod without the shoes. But it works out cuz i need new runners...here's the extra stupid part...


Nike's website is all flash and doesn't display Canada as a country when it comes to retail...So I email them like the web person I naturally am...here's what happens.






-------Can't find a retailer on your site Discussion Thread----------



Customer (Paolo Pazzia) - 07/06/2009 07:42 AM

Subject: Can't find a retailer on your site

Hi,
I just bought my nike + iPod set, and have been trying to find a retailer in the city of Montreal - but your website isn't working.How would I do that?

Cheers,
P2


--------------What I got back -------------------------


Recently you requested personal assistance from Nike. Below is a summary of your inquiry and our response.
Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.


Response to your email: (Kriffin) - 07/06/2009 08:09 AM


Hi Paolo,
Great to hear that you're using Nike+ as your running partner! I'm sure it's frustrating wanting to get started and can't find anything.
We apologize that we are unable to provide you with an answer to your e-mail.

Please contact the regional Nike distributor in your area to better assist you at 1-800-663-6453.
Keep Running,
Kiffin
Nike+ / Nike Running
View Nike's online privacy policy at http://store.nike.com/help/us/#/faqs/article/privacy-policy.


-------------Enter the Paolo Rant------------------



Ok, so you send me an email telling me you can't answer my question?

Why don't YOU call the number and ask for me?

Isn't this EXACTLY the reason you have customer service for your websites?

Better yet - isn't the website up to help people self-serve? And that's not working...

Now you're pointing me to a phoneline cuz you can't find the answer on the website? OMG THAT'S SO AMAZNG, CUZ THATS WHY IM EMAILING!

I saw the phone number on the website, I chose to email.


Come on Nike.... this is a MARKETING FAIL.