Observations from Best of the Web 2012

Mike Gastin, Jim Mattiucci and I just returned from Best of the Web 2012, presented by Rochester Business Journal. As blogged about recently, our client The Maplewood was selected as a finalist in the Healthcare category.

Well, turns out we didn’t win the prize this year. But it was enjoyable to view many other award-level websites that are aesthetically beautiful and, more importantly,  clearly operating as valuable business assets.

During each category’s build-up, it was interesting to hear about the enhancements the finalists have planned for their websites in 2012. The three things I noticed most are:

• Introduction of video (or creation of more video)
• Addition of a mobile version
• Lead management, order processing and other forms of user input

The first two speak to how audiences are using the web. The third speaks to what website owners want to achieve with their web properties. This is exciting to me because it’s a reminder that we’re truly in a new era of web publishing where user needs and organizational expectations for tangible business-relevant return are both paramount.

What are some of the enhancements you have planned for your web presence in 2012 and beyond? Is it a focus on your content strategy and ongoing content creation? Perhaps it's the establishment or formalization of web lead management? Some combination? Something completely different? I’d love read your thoughts.

Well done, Best of the Web finalists in and around Rochester. We have every reason to be proud of the websites, applications and content that represent our corner of the online universe.