Businesses neglecting their websites

[RadioNate]

Do businesses in your area understand the importance of websites? I'm trying to set our school year activities and no one has any info on their websites. It is VERY annoying.

My DS does after school golf and there is a 'flyer' about it on the course's website but it doesn't say when it starts! So now I need to call or stop by the pro shop to find out. It isn't a huge hassle for me but why can't they put the start date online?

Same with our YMCA for swimming. It doesn't say when the fall session starts. The program guide is from Spring 2008! So again, I need to call or stop in. And I know if I call them, they will just want me to go there to talk to someone and register. All I want to know is the program dates.

Last weekend we went to a jeweler's website and got their hours only to get to the store and find that location out of business.

Am I the only one who relies on the web for this sort of thing? Do the majority of the people still call first or stop in?

In my case, if the website is lousy or doesn't have the into I need, I tend to skip the business all together and patronize someone who does have access to what I need online.

 

[clarabelle]

Yes I notice
I think part of the problem is these places hire someone to make the website -but don't like hiring someone to keep the website up.
My husband is a partner in a business that does not keep their website up to date -I have complained several times -but it seems to be the lowest priority for them
Also -I think some businesses felt like -hey we are doing good to even HAVE a website. Now everyone has one -and they are behind the curve -but at first they felt like they were ahead (does that make sense??)

 

[lspst8]

I'm totally annoyed by the non-updated website too. I'd almost rather there be no website than an old, out of date one. I too have decided not to spend money some place because of their crappy website.

It is especially annoying with new businesses. I understand tha the Italian restaurant that opened in 1950 may not be on the internet, but if you are opening up a brand new business, get a decent website.

I don't really like using the phone (I'm weird like that) so I go to the internet first for almost all my research.

 

[golfgal]

My DH's company has a website that is about 10 years out of date. The essential information is still correct-phone numbers, but nothing else. They are not in a business that is consumer driven so having a website isn't really necessary but it doesn't take much to update one either .

 

[KandD]

This is SUCH a pet peeve of mine!! Why have a website if you are not going to have up to date info on it?? I search for a lot of info online and if your company does not have current info on their site then there is a good chance that I will look elsewhere.

 

[momof1princess]

i have this problem EVERY day. my job is to provide answers to people, and there is nothing more frustrating than to be asked for information, look it up, and realize a website doesn't provide the most basic information. if you have a business, people need to know your address, phone number and when you're open. special events and promotions are also pretty important. it drives me nuts to be asked when a business closes, then i go to their website and they've got all these flashy graphics and junk, but can't bother to give their business hours. basic info, people, basic!

 

[Maggi May]

It is so annoying. I think a PP hit it on the head, though. The companies hire someone to create a site will all kinds of bells and whistles, but then don't keep up with updating it. I don't need flashy graphics or dancing hamsters, I just want to be able to read your menu or figure out your operating hours without having to go through 4 links!

OK, I vented, I feel better.

 

[momof1princess]

i have this problem EVERY day. my job is to provide answers to people, and there is nothing more frustrating than to be asked for information, look it up, and realize a website doesn't provide the most basic information. if you have a business, people need to know your address, phone number and when you're open. special events and promotions are also pretty important. it drives me nuts to be asked when a business closes, then i go to their website and they've got all these flashy graphics and junk, but can't bother to give their business hours. basic info, people, basic!

 

[lg3]

Yes - It is VERY frustrating. If possible I don't patronize those businesses that don't keep it up. We once planned our evening around a restaurant that I saw an item I really wanted on the online menu, so we drove a good distance eat there and got reservations. I asked our waiter about it as I didn't see it on the menu there, and he said "Oh, we took that off the menu about a year and a half ago." What? We will never go back to that restaurant again. They didn't even care that they weren't updated.

 

[RadioNate]

So a funny little follow up on this. My dd had a Dr's appointment near the country club so I stopped in to ask when after school drop in golf started. The pro was super nice going on and on about how I didn't have to come in and how in the future I could just go to the website (which he wrote down for me) to find out when it started!

Then I told him that while the program info is on the site....it doesn't say when it starts!!!

We had a good laugh together.

 

[fraggle551]

yes this irritates me as well. I live in a small town, which is rather old fashioned. Almost none of the businesses have websites, and if they do, they look like they were made by a 3rd grader. It would be very helpful if businesses could keep their websites up to day.

 

[Jennasis]

well, we had this problem with our business. DH made a website (a lovely one), and it became outdated by about oh 3 years. Why? We are busy. So finally I forced DH to sit there with me for 2 hours while we updated the website together a few weeks ago.

I feel much better now.