It's now an unwritten law that every company should have its own website, even if it's not actually part of their product. However, while it may be easier than ever to build a website from scratch, founders should consider the points below in this guest post provided by Veronika Jakubcova of ITravelNet and friend of the Founder Institute.
Are you an entrepreneur that has just started your new business and are looking to go online? Check out these six common myths that most start-ups believe and end up with a website that fails to deliver. A web presence is crucial for any business, and if you run a start-up or are planning to launch one, read these before you design your website.
Most companies, especially small and midsized businesses are at a loss on who to choose to get their website designed. Look up Google for best web designing agencies and you find yourself in a mare's nest. Choosing the right man for the job seems like a nightmare, and most likely you end up getting stuck with the wrong agency.
Do you know why?
It's because setting up a design company is the easiest. You only need a bunch of guys with a degree, or sometimes a 3 month certification course, in designing and development, and boom, anyone is qualified to call themselves "the best designing company". No set up, no investments, no inventory - all you need is a laptop, an internet connection and you think you can make and sell websites, and make a fortune. It's like holding a pair of shears and calling yourself a top hair stylist.
First Site Guide has a great post explaining web hosting services that's worth a look, too!
So, the next time you need to design your website yourself or hire an agency, make sure you are not making these mistakes:
1) Myth: All you need is a website and you are set to run your business
Merely getting a website developed is like buying a car, but not actually driving it. Simply having a car is not going to get you to your destination. You need gas, knowing how to drive, and actually putting in effort to steer the wheel. Running an online business is similar because you need a lot more to get the business generating revenue. You need good content that is SEO optimised, social media marketing and brand management to make your business trustworthy. You also need a safe and secure website that is regularly updated to keep your information safe from attacks.
The below graphic developed by Hashtag17 outlines you must choose an agency that gives you the combination of design, SEO and a sales friendly website.
Solution:
Work with a company that is more than just a web design agency. Look for companies that provide services like content development, social media marketing, SEO, graphic designing, and hosting. Most entrepreneurs opt for a WordPress website because it is easier to manage the CMS yourself. But experts from WordPress website design services warn that WordPress websites are susceptible to malware attacks and hacking if not updated regularly. These experts advise you to keep a strong username and password, and keep a tab on the plugins to make sure they are updated, and no plugin has gone rogue. The company should not just be sound technically, but offer a multitude of services and also be available to provide you technical assistance whenever you need it.
2) Myth: Design your own website
Your website is not a crepe paper flower that you can apply principles of DIY to. If you do not have coding knowledge, you should never code your own website. Period. The free tools available online are a sham. They just give you existing templates and provide no unique identity to your business. Moreover, there are many hidden fees with such platforms. What you get free of cost is the most basic option, and you have to pay for any add-on you need. In most cases, the free option is not sufficient and people end up paying for the additional features. The end result is unfortunately not "WYSIWYG".
Solution:
Don't get lured by freebies. Instead of trying to work with these tools, find yourself a suitable agency who will lay out right in the beginning what your website will entail and will outline all costs for you. Sign a contract on the deliverable so that there are no extra charges later on. This article outlines the pros and cons of website builders and will help you decide if they are the right choice for you or not.
3) Myth: Cheaper is better
Would you pick a school solely based on cheapest tuition fees, or pick the cheapest gynecologist for the delivery of your baby? Your business is the most important aspect of your life; your means (and sometimes the only means) to generate income. Then why would you want to settle for something precarious? Most companies don't do an ROI analysis before getting their website designed and end up being penny wise, pound foolish. But the truth is, you end up losing far more revenue because of an untrustworthy website than what you would have shelled out for a decent web design agency. Customers make conclusions about your business and integrity based on how professional and legitimate your website looks. A shoddy design or grammatically incorrect sentences are sure-shot means to drive your customers away; which by the way, takes your bounce rate up, something you don't want.
Solution:
If it's too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, your website should elicit feelings of trust from customers. Everything on your website "talks" and you want your customers to listen and believe. Don't compromise on the agency you choose just to save a few bucks. Make the wise decision by choosing a professional company that can evoke confidence in you when you speak to them. If you are a start-up, budget would be a constraint. So the idea is to get more value but at an affordable price. The below Value-Price beam balance developed by Hashtag17 tells you a deal is favorable if you get more value for a lesser price.
4) Myth: The most famous agencies will give you a design that others can't
Designing is essentially use of codes while keeping an artistic eye. While I do not disparage the big agencies because they have worked hard to earn their worth, the truth is you could get an equally well done design from other agencies too, provided you choose the right one. To give you an example, Gucci has T-shirts that sell for over $980, but you can get an equally well stitched and beautiful T-shirt at a much cheaper rate. The same factory that makes T-shirts for Gucci uses the same fabric to make T-shirts for other cheaper companies too. The reason people buy Gucci is because they are picky about choosing brands. This, however, is not necessary when designing websites.
Solution:
Choose an agency that charges you a fair price for what they deliver, and not for their brand value. Many a times, small agencies have very creative designers who give you awesome designs.
5) Myth: Working with freelancers is cheaper as profit margins are low
This is like expecting a single footballer to be the striker and the goalkeeper at the same time. Remember, the purpose of your website is not to be only dolled up. It is to either sell a product, sell a service or get people to subscribe to your business. The key word here is "sell" and so you need a person with business acumen. A designer is an artist and he will focus on what looks pretty, but you need a project manager to know what will make your website sell your product.
Solution:
Choosing a company with a team of professionals vis-a-vis a freelancer will ensure you have more than one mind working on your website and you get the best of both worlds - appearances and functionality.
6) Myth: Social media marketing is not mandatory
Not focusing on social media enough can be a deal breaker for your business, especially if you are new to the space. The current trend indicates most of your audience is active on social networks. They are highly geared towards products or services that have a strong presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Customers look for online reviews and feedback before they purchase a product. They are discerning and smart, and so outdated social media marketing techniques do not work on them anymore.
Solution:
It is not sufficient to merely have a presence on these platforms anymore. With aggressive competition, it is imperative, you are not just present actively, but also give the reader something intriguing every time. Keep their attention riveted so they subscribe to you and look forward to getting your updates. One way to do this is to conduct contests to increase consumer participating. Another great way to get your content across is through infographics. Infographics provide visual representation and is a more effective means to share information compared to text content. Websites like Marketing Infographics and Infographics Zone have some captivating designs that you can take inspiration from.
Do you want even more expert startup advice? The Founder Institute is currently accepting applications in cities around the world. Click here for more information!
About the Author
Veronika Jakubcova is an independent blogger and a freelance editor. She is a work nomad and works on the go. She is also a ghost writer with ITravelNet and loves to share her travel stories with the world.
