Be my guest

Home Office Computing, Oct, 1998 by Mike Espindle

The investment of four hours a day for three months to learn the programming has paid off--Higgins's guest book is now tailored to her operation. "The book is a work in progress," Huggins adds. "I spent a lot of time getting it to work the way I wanted, and since it represents a significant avenue of response for my business, I spend a good chunk of time--about two hours each day--going through the collected data. I occasionally revamp the questions I ask guests to see if it affects the response rate and quality of the comments." All told, it took her four months to fine-tune her guest book with the right number and type of questions.

Working the Front Lines Online Regardless of the data you collect from your Web site visitors, the simple act of adding a guest book to your site opens up possibilities for genuine two-way communication with people in your market. Instead of saying, "Look at me," an interactive guest book lets you say, "Talk to me." And isn't that why you launched your Web site in the first place?

"I'm a computer novice, so using a guest book wasn't based on a technical need," says Southern Images Gallery's Leigh. "We have a `real' guest book here in the Savannah gallery, and I just wanted to reproduce the same experience on the Net. We attract a good response, interesting information, and valuable leads, sure. But I get a kick out of going through the responses, too. We draw a tremendous response from all over the world, especially Ireland. It's mind-boggling how the Internet allows people who are interested in what you're doing to communicate with you."

Mike Espindle is a Web content and commerce consultant based in Manhattan--and his guest book is always full.

RELATED ARTICLE: Homegrown Site

Each month, we highlight a reader's Web site that impresses us. This month: www.sciencestuff.com

Is science your bag? Then browse Sue Bachus's home-based business Web site, Science Stuff. She noticed a shortage of science supplies in Austin, Tex. So Bachus, a former science teacher, started her own science supply store for students, teachers, and schools. Last July, she launched her Web site with the design help of Terri Gray of Gray Internet Consulting. Bachus's son, Brett, built her an Internet-capable computer, and he helps to maintain and update the site's content. Alter only a year, her business has increased threefold, with orders coming from all 51) states, Canada, Australia, and Denmark. Sue now plans to learn more about computers so that she can regularly update products and prices on her own.