DISQUS

milenaregos · 2 months ago

Excellent question - I think if people rebuilt your site or my site it will only be better because it will reflect what they really want to see there. More brains and more collective wisdom is sure to create something better than just one person's imagination (example: Wikipedia) Branding wise? Who knows - if you really know who you are now your brand should carry on.

studionashvegas · 2 months ago

Agreed. It does, however, depend on the perception. Another question is, how many websites would die with no one really caring? Would people care if my site died? Would they email me to see what's wrong, or would I fade into oblivion?

Amber Weinberg · 2 months ago

I'd make it a bit simpler, not so crowded. But then that's the minimalist designer in me trying to come out. I'm looking forward to seeing your notes from BWE

studionashvegas · 2 months ago

Trust me, you should have seen it before I took stuff out - what can I say, I have a lot going on :)

Got a lot of notes - can't wait to kick in and actually write about it (hopefully).

Mitch

rasinen · 2 months ago

Facebook Page + Group should each have the important info plus images - build out from there and maintain your presence on the web plus communication in the down time. MySpace and Twitter to round it out. Especially since you're in Nashville and TN is among the more popular states with MySpace as KY is in the top 6. Each of those should show up in search results or there are other issues. In your case I am sure they'd be top results.

As for the site itself, I'd start fresh with new hosting from two separate providers or host internally plus a separate outside hosting solution. In regard to content I'd suggest maintaining the same feel of the site e.g. navigation, usability, overall appearance, etc... Plus make minor visible changes and add more (new) images with optimized titles to help show up in image searches and offer more to visitors.

Is the question really - how would your customers rebuild your website? It seems that's what they were really asking in the email. That would vary based on the website, goals and could be tested with Google Website Optimizer and a closer examination of analytics.

Adriana · 2 months ago

Well, this actually happened to JP Rangaswami's blog Confused in Calcutta a few years back: http://confusedofcalcutta.com/2006/05/23/rumour...

It was put back from RSS feeds others had of his blog posts in the end.
http://confusedofcalcutta.com/2006/05/25/four-p...

The problem is that corporate websites are static, there is nothing to 'subscribe' to and therefore customers couldn't come to rescue this way. Is a measure of a good website how much people want to subscribe to it and share it? Or is it simply usefulness it provides to its audience or customers. Company sites don't really have either. Individual blogs more so...

studionashvegas · 2 months ago

I think that's a great point - if a website dies, does the customer have the ability, or even the right, to add to it based on their own thoughts? If my about page was axed due to a server issue, what would people say about me?

It's almost a better question to ask "what do you want your digital tombstone to say?"

"Here lies a great man"...

or "Pshh. Good Riddance!"

maggiereed · 2 months ago

What an eye-opening thought - how would your customers rebuild your website....lots to think about. Thanks for sharing

Viral Marketing · 1 month ago

Excellent blog, thanks for the post!

officecleaning · 2 weeks ago

good question