Successful businesses typically have one major component that helps them succeed: A great website that connects them with new customers.
A website is all-important in today’s business environment. Without one, it can be difficult for a prospective client to size you up and compare your business to your competitors. A poorly-designed website can cost you new business and help send clients in a different direction. A website (and a strong internet presence) is vital to the health and sustainability to your operation.
However, getting that wonderful website is not always easy. Most business owners are great (or at least decent, one hopes) at their area of expertise. Plumbers know plumbing, pipes, drains. Electricians know wiring, outlets, lighting fixtures. Attorneys know the law. Cooks memorize recipes and cooking temps. Doulas know how to help a pregnant woman have successful birth. These folks are not necessarily great web designers. And if they are successful in their business, they typically do not have the time to devote designing and building a website and many times, have no interest in taking on that task themselves. They are too busy being successful at what they know best.
This is where the business owner should be wary and skeptical of the numerous advertisements we see on cable television, bombastically promoting the “build your own website” products and the “ease of use” and “drag and drop” features in them. For some, saving a few dollars for a magic solution to all their web site needs seems like a fantastic deal. And, a smart business owner is always on the lookout for a deal, no arguments there.
In reality, things are not always as they appear, and in this case, the “build your own website” peddlers are attempting to mislead. The savvy business owner will turn a blind eye to these promises and sales pitches after they talk with others who have tried these services out. They will hear and learn that what is cheap now, becomes expensive later when the prices go up to maintain and service their web site. The customer support is, many times, sorely inadequate. The website that the client ends up with is can turn out to be less than satisfactory. And, the “build your own website” peddlers leave out the fact that a site that “looks good” and is, what they call “professional” is one thing, but neglect to mention the fact that content is king. They will not write great content and make sure that what content is on the web site is displayed and communicated in the best manner for visitors and is conducive to generating new leads.
This is where an experienced web designer with a connection to the business owner trumps all this build it yourself nonsense. The best advice for a business owner who is looking for an edge with their internet presence is to spend time interviewing and locating an experience web designer with a track record of outstanding performance with their clients. Trusting your web site to a point and click online service is risky, can turn out to be expensive, and most times will not deliver the results you seek. It is better to locate a pro and put them to work… and hold them accountable.
