So You Need a Website...
Maybe you've done the math and figured the five grand for a half page ad buried in the back of a trade magazine could be better spent elsewhere. Or, maybe you're just starting a business and need a website. You've come to the right place.
Building Your Website Right the First Time - Professional "Design"
You don't need a website just because "everyone needs a website" or "everyone else has a website." It's not about keeping up with the corporate version of the Joneses, and it's not just about having some place to tell people to go look for more information. If this is why you think you need a website, then don't bother. You're just going to waste your money.
You need a website because it can help drive your business and make you money. In some cases, it will even take the wheel right out of your hands!
A good website is a true investment in your company. Like any investment, it should not be made without serious thought, and it should never be made with the expectation that it will not generate a return. A bad investment will lose money. Likewise, a bad website can cost your business money in lost opportunities, lost sales, or by creating a poor image.
That is why you need to make sure your website is built the right way - right from the beginning.
Why Websites Don't Work
Whether they do it internally or pay the wrong person, too many times companies just slap up a website without a plan. They then complain that they get nothing from the web. Building a website without a plan just doesn't work and can prove costly over the long run.
It doesn't matter how nice you think it looks, or if it says everything you think it should say...it's not about you. If the site is not attractive to your customer, doesn't address their needs, doesn't effectively communicate what you have to offer, can't be found by search engines, and there is no plan in place for maintenance, a website will fail to do what it is supposed to: help grow your business.
Best case, you pay to have it done all over again. Worst case, you give up entirely and miss out on the benefits of the world's largest marketplace.
"The best things in life are free," but this does not apply to websites. Invest the money, time, and commitment up front to do it the right way. You'll be glad you did.
Building Your Website with Marketing in Mind
Programmers aren't marketers. Usually. Neither are designers. Usually. So, don't build your website backwards by putting programming and graphics ahead of marketing: your customer.
No website should ever be built without clear marketing objectives in mind. Even if you think you fully understand your customer, your market, future trends, and how to communicate your company's vision, value, and offering to potential customers via the web, you should still step back and hire a true marketing and design partner to assist you.
Marketing via the web, done primarily through design, copy, and networking is a completely different science/art than traditional media marketing and advertising. What works great on TV or print does not usually work well on a website. Work with someone who understands the methods and nuances particular to Internet marketing (as well as traditional marketing) and understands how to build your web presence.
Finally, even if you have a great brand, a website that can't be found on search engines is like having a wallet full of cash in the middle of the wilderness. With 4 out of 5 people finding websites by using search, not building your website with search marketing in mind just doesn't make sense.
Can You Build Your Own Website?
Sure, but just because you know how doesn't mean you should. Realistically, this question doesn't come up much. Either you know how to build a website (or are willing to learn), or you don't. The better question is can you build and market a website that will support your business, drive sales, and help you grow?
Contact us today to get started or to learn more.
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