Launching a website – oversee or overkill?
DIY e commerce websites are time zappers
About five years ago I attempted to start my own e business and thought I was on the “front line” but, after about two years of struggling over my e commerce website, I discovered I was “in the trenches”. As a new business owner, I thought building my own website was cool – a cost and time saver. If I had thought clearly, had a bigger budget and knew then what I know now – I would have outsourced the work.
Concentrate on What You Do Best!
I am a good marketing web designer and I was very good at selling GPS equipment but after five years of working on my e commerce website day in and day out, and, search engine optimizing the site, I still could not figure out how to compete with BassPro for GPS sales. What I do know is I should have concentrated less on cool web design, pretty graphics, the “wow factor”, shopping cart integration and payment gateways. I needed to spend more time understanding my customers’ needs and competitor flanking. I can honestly say I have learned a lot – run, don’t walk to your customers!
First Time Marketing Web Designer Beware!
The statistics prove 1 out of 5 businesses will make it after 5 years of being in business. Today, with the economy in such bad shape, I am sure the stats will be even worse. To be successful you have to ask yourself the question “what am I best at?” If it is not maketing web design, let the experts do it. Stay away from “do-it-yourself” websites, and stop the overkill on web aesthetics – your site needs sales – not “flashy” wow stuff to impress friends.
Fast time-to-market innovations in web include SEO “search engine optimization” and experts are “geeked out” on SEO; and it ’s not for the faint at heart starting “in the trenches”. Beware of do-it-yourself SEO – by the time you figure it out, Google and other search engines have determined your tactic and are probably spamming 6 months from now.
My advice is: 1. Hire a good small business web designer in your industry 2. Find an even better web analyst to track web phase results 3. Get a fantastic SEO copywriter 4. Find someone that has all the above and who loves web optimization tactics.
Let a small web design business help you if it’s not your “cup of java”! Sit back with a cup of Java and a prospect list – do sales!
About the Author: Dana Labrie is a full services marketing expert keeping an eye on SEO. click here to learn more about web tactics from her website. Agency web designer Toronto.
Tags: small web design business
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