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Many PR professionals easily budget tens of thousands of dollars or more, building and updating a website. In addition, they may budget thousands more every single month on public relations and communications. But is the website itself press friendly? Does the site make it easy for editors, analysts and writers to find the information they need? Probably not… Many journalists conduct their research online. It is a great tool to them. Many journalists like doing research at night or during odd hours, when they’re less likely to be disturbed. However, when an editor visits the website to conduct his|to do some} research|to gather information} and write about a company or its products, {they can’t often find what they are looking for|often they can't find {the information they are seeking|what they are looking for. While the PR department is away from the office, your website is your company’s face for the media. Here are a few tips to be sure your website press friendly: The Organization and Information How easy is it to find information on your site Does your website have a logical way to navigate? How about a search bar? Can editors readily locate the the information they are looking for? A great website will be fast, easy to navigate, and have basic information on the home page. Reporters are often rushed with deadlines. If they can't find the information they need from your website, they are off to another site. Editors who are happy produce good copy. You don't want to annoy them. Therefore, you should make certain your information is complete, up-to-date and accurate. Comprehensive Product and Technology Sections Journalists may not be up to speed on the technology. Some editors are looking for the big picture. But others will want the to understand the insides of your technology and product. Your site should be able to provide access to various levels of technical expertise. Your website should contain comprehensive sections such as: 1. A summary of what your company does. 2. A short history of the company 3. Product data sheets 4. Bios of executive management, especially if they are well known 5. News or Media Releases and feature spotlights 6. White papers and research studies. 7. Information regarding of honors and awards your company has received 8. Information regarding of previous media coverage 9. Your company’s logo and contact information 10. Short, detailed descriptions for each product 11. Photos for each product and company executive Make sure your site has up-to-date information on product names, features, prices, etc. Journalists may go directly to your site and print information they find there without double-checkingwhether it is accurate or not. The press release sections are vital as well. It helps if your press release section is searchable by both date and topic. A good website needs comprehensive news releases with good contact names and numbers listed. Most importantly make sure your news is easy to access. Easy to Find Contact Information Journalists may need something that can't be found on the website. Maybe they need a quote from the president or product engineer. You need someone that can quickly handle and respond to the demands of the press. If your website is not press friendly, the editor might move onto a website that is more press friendly. Complete contact information should be readily available. This includes things such as phone numbers, addresses, email, and names they can publish. Journalists are often in a hurry and prefer telephone to email. The press email address should be frequently checked. If the PR inquiries go unanswered very long you could lose your opportunity at free publicity.
Article Source: http://www.urarticles.com
Wes Upchurch is an online PR specialist with experience in website accessibility. His company PressDr.com, provides press release distribution services to thousands of companies including everything from locally-owned shops to international corporations.
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