Common mistakes
1. If you build it, they will come. Right?
Nope! You can't just create a website and expect it to be effective. In fact, 75% of small business websites fail to live up to expectations. The primary reason is lack of website traffic. If you want a positive ROI on your website project, plan on investing in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Our Top 10 SEO guarantee makes investing in search engine optimization easy. You pay nothing up front and only pay when your site is returned in the search engines' top 10 organic results.
2. Spending too much money to create the website
Some small businesses spend thousands of dollars developing their website. Then they pay more to maintain it, make changes and keep it current. This often causes a project to go over budget and as a result, they don't have the money to invest where it can benefit their business the most: traffic generation. Dollar for dollar, you get a much greater ROI when you invest in ways to increase traffic to your website such as Search Engine Optimization and lead generation.
3. Flash! Just like that, you're gone!
Some websites are programmed using a technology called 'Flash'. They look incredible, have animation, video and sound. The problem is they are very expensive, difficult to update and rank near the bottom of search results because search engines have a horrible time finding the content on Flash websites. Even HTML websites can be hurt in the search rankings if they contain flash objects that are placed in the wrong location.
4. Too many graphics
Images take time to load and website visitors are notoriously impatient. Unless visitors are expecting photos (like in a photo gallery or real estate website), keep it simple and keep the images to a minimum. Also, when you change the dimensions of a large image and make it smaller on your website, you're not changing the file size. You must make the image smaller using a graphics editing tool and then save it with the smaller dimensions. Then you can upload it to your website. It will have smaller dimensions and a smaller file size which will allow it to load much faster.
5. Having a friend who knows computers create your website
We've seen this one a few times! You know someone who's good with computers and says he can build a website for you. He has a day job but this is something he would be willing to do "on the side" for you. Be very careful here. If he's so good at it, why isn't he doing it full time?
It's one thing to be good with computers, it's something totally different to be a professional graphic website artist, a web programmer who's up to date on the latest evolutions and uses of technology on the web and an SEO expert. Will they invest 35 hours of work for search engine optimization like we will? Seriously, what good is your website if no one finds it?
Will you be able to make changes yourself? Don't just take 'Yes' as an answer. Ask them to show you how to do it so you can see how easy it is (or isn't). Will they have the time available to make urgent changes to your site? Remember, this is only a part time gig for them and they're doing you a favor.
Anyone can swing a hammer, but that doesn't mean you'd let them build your house.
This is your business' image on the web. This is the first place some of your customers will see you. First impressions count, especially on the web where a different choice is only a click away. Your business is too important and your reputation too valuable to risk going with anyone who is "part time".
Our process and technology are proven. Our quality is top-shelf and our prices are very affordable. Yeah, we can walk the walk. Would you like to see a demo?