Throughout my career, I heard all sorts of myths surrounding the web design world. Most of these myths can make the process of getting a new website, much scarier than it actually is.
If you never had a website, these myths might be stopping you from taking your business to the next level. Today I am here to put those myths to rest!
MYTH 1 “My business can still succeed without a website.”
If you ever asked yourself the question: “Does my business really need a website?” the answer is, YES! According to Statista, in 2019, retail e-commerce sales worldwide amounted to 3.53 trillion US dollars.
But a website is much more than a method of selling online. It creates a way for potential customers to find you, bringing the opportunity to overtake competitors. Growing brand awareness, trust and reputation, potential customers are more likely to trust a brand they see online.
In addition to this, having a website enables you to run exciting marketing campaigns and capture your target market’s attention with innovative content and messaging.
MYTH 2 “Managing a website is too time-consuming.”
The internet has countless resources, tools and information sources to guide you through the process, making it easier to hire the right web designer than it’s ever been before.
Also, you don’t have to spend long periods of time updating your site unless you want to, with the option to make small changes, as they are required.
A website can be created in parts, meaning you don’t have to dedicate a block of time to work on it. Instead, break it into small stages and spread the number of tasks sent to your website developer.
Find platforms which are able to simplify website maintenance like WordPress and make the development of your site as smooth and hassle-free as possible.
MYTH 3 “I won’t understand it.”
If you decide to do it yourself, free resources can also provide imagery to use on your website. You will also find templates making starter website design as simple as dragging and dropping your content to make it look attractive.
There are website builders explicitly created to help those who are new to web design, meaning anybody can create an attractive website for their business. Alternatively, most web design freelancers are happy to do the more difficult tasks for you.
MYTH 4 “I don’t have the budget.”
If it broke the bank to create and run a website, they wouldn’t be so common. There are plenty of cut-price offers and deals that can make the process even more cost-effective.
You can start by hiring an affordable freelance web designer instead of a web design agency. Also, companies which sell domains, as well as website platforms and hosting services, regularly run special offers which can reduce the cost of getting started.
As an example, the hosting of your website can cost as little as a couple of pounds per month. Depending on your objectives and budget, you can spend more than this if you wish.
The common misconception that web design is expensive is because people use expensive consultants or web-building platforms, through a lack of understanding about what their business really needs. There are many less expensive, and just as effective alternatives that can get you online.
MYTH 5 “Websites are only for people selling online.”
One of the most popular reasons people visit a business website is to research them and check they are reputable before choosing to work with them or purchase from them.
Simple things can make an enormous difference to customer confidence, for example, including your opening times or nearby public transport details.
Here are just some of the ways that a website can be used to represent and showcase a business:
- Presenting critical information on a brochure style website
- Using a website to communicate with customers, using a blog or social media channels as part of the marketing
- As a place to sell products or services online
MYTH 6 “A social media presence is enough to be found online.”
There is no denying that social media platforms will work to grow interaction. Still, a website can work to really establish your brand identity, coming across as more professional and working to link all profiles together.
According to the “Insight Engineers: Annual Trust and Awareness Research, 2017”, it has been proven that businesses which have a website are trusted nearly three times more than businesses which only have social media accounts.
MYTH 7 “I don’t have enough content to have a website.”
This statement is always untrue. While some businesses believe that they don’t have enough to say, putting a little thought into what makes you stand out can create all the content you need.
Start with the basics, considering the company name, opening hours, location, services or products and story of the business. It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase the attributes which make you stand out from competitors, so share your business story, ethos and testimonials.
Visitors quickly become disinterested when a website is too text-heavy, so make sure you use imagery or video content. Sites such as Pixabay and Unsplash have copyright-free images which you can use, and there are countless website templates which are free of charge.
Ask your web designer to choose templates which reflect your business, using layouts suited to the content you aim to post. Consider whether your website will be predominantly blog posts, or images, for example.
Get creative and stand out in a crowded marketplace with image galleries, customer recommendations, upcoming events and pictures of products.
MYTH 8 “I have no idea where to begin.”
If you don’t know where to start with creating your website, you’re not alone. The great news is that there are countless resources online that can guide you through the entire process, regardless of how much, or how little you know.
After all, a small percentage of websites are actually ordered by big companies with experienced marketing departments who know exactly what they want. All you need is to get started! Explore different options by searching on Google for “Freelance Web Designer”, check out your competitors and take inspiration from sites you love along the way.
If you still need help to plan your next project, make sure you send me a message and let me guide you through a successful online marketing experience.
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