Clickable Guide to the Five Levels for Media, Methods, and Message

Do you know what web level your company is at? Your key competitors? The national highest standard?

  • Level 1

    • Mindset

      "The internet is not important to us. Just being there is enough"

    • Media

      Website has glaring problem. Broken links, missing header tags, lack of mobile capability and other issues that are detrimental to user experience and search engine optimization are present. Content may be inaccurate or inadequate to convey company to prospects.

    5 Web Levels

    • Methods

      Copy writing is unprofessional, as if prospects don't bother to read it. But they do. No real attention to SEO, PR, Outreach, Infographics. Whoops.

    • Message

      "Fluff" Content- nothing that separates the company's offerings from the competition. Perhaps even incomplete or unedited.

  • Level 2

    • Mindset

      "We have a decent website that is 'good enough'."

    • Media

      Content writing and graphics are not at a professional standard. There are problems like broken links and missing header tags that affect SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Guess what, people judge a company by its website.

    • Methods

      No real attention to SEO, Web PR, Guest Blogging or other forms of Outreach.

    • Message

      There may be some thought given to conveying a message of distinction but it lacks strategy. So, another blade of grass on the field. Lost in the crowd. And the crowd keeps growing larger.

  • Level 3

    • Mindset

      "The internet is relevant to us and we are doing 'enough'."

    • Media

      Now we are getting somewhere.Professional, current website with good user experience. It may not hold up to close examination but a quick glance gives an impression of professionalism.

    • Methods

      Search Engine Optimization is taken seriously. Outreach with Social Media, PR, and Email Marketing is consistent. Not at the highest standard, though.

    • Message

      The core message is professional but doesn't convey anything "special". Key questions customers ask with search are answered, at least. But they are answered the way any company in the same niche might.

  • Level 4

    • Mindset

      "It's worth investing in a standout web presence."

    • Media

      Benchmarked website stands out in its niche. The website is well optimized for searches and user experience both. It comes across as current, highly professional, and engaging.

    • Methods

      The bases are mostly covered: SEO, graphic design, outreach with PR and guest blogging are handled professionally. This group might think they are on top of the game. But that hinges on the message.

    • Message

      Research-based content is updated regularly and benchmarked against the top competition. But it doesn't lead the customer anywhere new. It doesn't move the mind of the marketplace. So a 4th level web is still vulnerable.

  • Level 5

    • Mindset

      "The internet is an extension of our customer-centered, high-level service approach. We have achieved a clear leadership position by defining a new way of thinking for the marketplace and leading our audience there effectively. And we are the only company there."

    • Media

      A customer-centric website extends service to prospects looking for answers online. A blog, enhanced perhaps with a podcast or with video, adds regular value with powerful and distinctive messages that empower prospects to get more value.

    • Methods.

      The methods of copy writing, PR, SEO, and design now fully come to life, energized by the inspiration of a leading message. Search Engine Optimization supercharged by Thought Leadership means the traffic converts to leads who wouldn't consider doing business with anyone else.

    • Message

      A 5th Level Web is one that moves the mind of the marketplace. The leadership has the confidence and security of a market-leading position, fueled by a distinctive, audience-empowering message that adds value in a distinctive way. Like 5th Level Web does for our clients with the Thaut Process.

Quick Chart of the Five Levels

Which level is your company's web presence at? Click here for more info

Highlighted Content

Quick Chart to the 5 Levels

Quick Chart to the 5 Levels

A 5th level web demonstrates reverence for the customer and extends the concept of "customer" to the "attention customers" who pay with the increasingly valuable commodity of their time engaging in web content. A 5th level web demonstrates reverence for the customer and extends the concept of "customer" to the "attention customers" who pay with the increasingly valuable commodity of their time engaging in web content. Few companies are there. Is yours? Click through to find out.

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Video- 5 Minutes to the 5 Levels

Video- 5 Minutes to the 5 Levels

A quick introduction to the 5 levels for business leaders who are not internet professionals