Upcoming posts will discuss why your chamber's digital content should be engaging, educational and entertaining. You’ll also learn how content can drive traffic through your website and to conversion points. 

If you're worried about a lack of time or creativity, then this post is for you.

Maintaining a strong digital presence is vital to your chamber’s survival. Choose a marketing-savvy CMS that will provide your chamber website with valuable communication tools – particularly, an email marketing service, options for social media integration and daily statistics. 

Today, I will continue to guide you in your search for the perfect CMS by identifying the most important content development tools for managing a dynamic chamber website. Choose a CMS that simplifies the content development process by providing a unified user interface, a “What You See Is What You Get” editor, and a few easy-to-use tools. 

I am a frequent flier, so I’m always comforted when I notice the airline going to great lengths to ensure a safe flight. 

The best safety measure is planning ahead, such as ensuring that the plane will make it to the next stop without running out of fuel. Likewise, you should plan ahead for your chamber website by choosing a CMS that won’t run out of capabilities.

When you watch TV, would you rather be the person holding the remote control, or the person begging to turn off Dancing with the Stars? 

I’m guessing you’d prefer to be the one in control.

You should also be in control when it comes to managing your chamber website content. Now that we’ve covered best practices in designing your website, it’s time to switch gears and begin discussing the process of filling your chamber website with content. To do so, your CMS must be powerful and flexible.

Before I dive into this post, I’d like to differentiate two components associated with navigation, form vs. function. Function refers to the specific content (such as link names) that guide users from Point A to Point B. Function-related topics will be discussed in future posts.

What I’m going to talk about today is form – the “look” of your navigation.

Web users shouldn’t need a compass to navigate your chamber of commerce website. Your website navigation design should be just as visible as the trail markers that guided me through Yellowstone.

After reading last week’s post, you should have a basic understanding of the principles of web usability. Now it’s time to put your user interface to the test with a method called eye tracking.

Think back to the last time you bought a car - when you first sat down in your new driver’s seat, did you need an owner’s manual to figure out how to start the ignition? Of course not. Instead, you relied on previous driving experience to get your new ride rolling. 

Just as every car is built with certain operating standards, so too are websites. How well your website has implemented these standards greatly determines its level of usability.

What famous couple would you consider to be the greatest pairing of all time – Romeo and Juliet? Brad and Angelina? Or how about Helvetica and Garamond?

When the perfect typeface match is made, sparks fly. But how do you find the two typefaces that are destined for each other – and appropriate for your chamber website? 

Your user interface design (UI) can make or break your chamber website. Done right, your User Interface will allow visitors to easily navigate through your site and gain quick access to your content – regardless of whether they are connecting with the 27-inch iMac or the latest Droid smartphone.

When was the last time you picked up a paintbrush? Or a colored pencil? Or a Crayon? Unless you’re a designer or an artist (or the parent of a young child) chances are you spend the majority of your day planted in an office chair without these flair-inspiring tools.

I recently had the pleasure of making a trip to IKEA, a store that never fails to delight me. I am always intrigued by how even the tiniest of spaces are designed to be functional, organized, and aesthetically pleasing. The same can be said of a well-designed chamber website.

What’s your favorite box office trend?You’ve probably noticed that particular themes trend through Hollywood at different times. Two years ago, the cool thing was a gritty reboot; then last year, out of nowhere, it was all about vampires. In the same way, chamber website design also experiences changes in trends.

If you have ever visited New York City, this is what immediately stands out. Even if you have never visited NYC, the images, videos, and descriptions – even the nickname “The city that never sleeps” – derives from this busy image. Interestingly enough, your chamber site should work much like the transportation infrastructure of New York City. Your website needs to become a hub where your members and community can access information moving in and out through many different channels. 

Wow! It feels great to be back working on my blog. First what’s with the name “Catching the Friday 5:05?” My goal behind this blog is to provide weekly “gold nuggets” that are easy to understand and apply to your chamber’s digital marketing strategy. I will do my best to release these postings on Friday at 5PM and they should only take 5 minutes to read.