HOLBROOK, NEB. (July 10, 2008)-Web sites offer one of the most advantageous marketing tools available to business owners today. Open 24/7, the most successful Web sites are purpose-driven, attractive, target a specific market, and capture visitors' names while leading them to action. On the flip side, Web sites require constant monitoring and updating of information, graphics, and usability features or functions. A Web site featuring old information, or outdated graphics may actually adversely affect a business.

To help Nebraska businesses avoid the pitfalls of bad or ineffective Web sites, GROW Nebraska is offering an affordable Web site Critique for GROW and non-GROW members. The registration deadline is July 25.

A jury panel made up of Web industry experts with backgrounds in e-business strategy, graphic design and usability testing will rate Web sites in the areas of audience/purpose, graphics, navigation, content, and functionality. The evaluations will be conducted in the jurors' professional environments, allowing them more time to critique each site. Registrants will receive the jurors' comments no later than August 22.

GROW Nebraska member Armand Gibbons of Prairie Breeze Graphics in Omaha was glad he participated in a previous critique.

"The critique was outstanding," said Gibbons. "I knew my Web site wasn't ‘up to snuff', but I didn't know exactly what to do about it. I needed unblinking and unflinching criticism, and that is what I got."

Web site critique and membership applications are available on the GROW Nebraska Web site at: http://www.grownebraska.org/

Since 1998, the nonprofit GROW Nebraska has focused on maximizing the state's entrepreneurial spirit and focused on building Nebraska businesses globally by providing sustainable business environments through marketing, education, business building services and access to markets.

To find out more about the Web site Critique, including costs, contact Sara Stevens-Stehl at 308-472-3015, or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Contact: Sara Stevens-Stehl at 308-472-3015, 888-GROWNEB or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it