I just finished imputing information into a client's database. The fields for me to imput into were fairly typical information: first and last name, title, company name, address, phone, fax, email, website, industry, and niche. There weren't that many companies to imput. It should have been easy. I should have been able to click on the person's web address and find all the info I needed.
Are people trying to hide from their clients? Some websites had almost none of the information I needed. Five of the websites had no name at all. I should clarify that all 20 companies were service oriented. None sold a product. If I were looking on the web for a service company to do business with, I think I'd like the name of a contact person or at least the name of the person who is going to provide the service. Many of the companies had no phone number. Very few had a physical address. Only two had a PO Box. Some of the companies didn't even have an email address. They just had a form to submit.
I don't think there is a real estate agent out there who doesn't have full contact information on their sites. As a mortgage person, a virtual assistant, a stager, do you have full contact information on your site? I understand the need for privacy on the web, but when you are providing a service don't you think your customers would like to know who you are and where to find you?
Name - I believe when you provide a service that it's important to your credibility that your clients know who it is that will be performing the service.
Physical address - I feel much better knowing I have at least a PO Box to send things to, but at the very least I'd like to know the state where the person is. You may not think it means a lot but knowing I'm dealing with a real company and not someone based on an unknown island in the Pacific makes me feel better.
Phone - Even though it's more than likely I'd send an email, I'd like to know I can pick up the phone if I have a question or concern.
Email - I don't know what happens to my email after I press Submit. It would be nice to have an addy written somewhere on the page. There are ways to encrypt the addy so you won't get tons of spam.
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I've seen some of the websites you are referring to, but it's amazing how someone would go to the trouble of having a site with no decent consumer information. Did you write each of those companies asking if they would like a web designer? :-)
Deb