Here are 7 mistakes to avoid when selecting a website designer:
1. Selecting the wrong partner
Starting out, relationships can be uncertain. Both sides might have good intentions, but if expectations aren’t aligned, someone ends up disappointed.
Finding a good web designer can be tough. Asking the right questions upfront can save you a lot of trouble (and money) later.
How do you find a good web designer? Referrals are great. Ask friends, family, and business associates about their experiences and results.
Check out the digital agency’s portfolio. Is each project unique? Or do they all look the same? The examples are supposed to be customised and unique according to each client’s brand and not have a template feel.
Another thing to check is whether they practice what they preach. Browse through their blog and social media to see how often they update. It’s a good sign if they’re exercising market leadership founded on education and sharing.
And don’t forget to test their support and communication by trying to call them. Can you easily get in touch, or do they take many days to respond? Are they open and helpful when you ask questions? Do you feel confident they really get what you need? Clear and friendly communication is crucial for success. But don’t worry, there are reliable teams out there who speak in plain English – so don’t give up and keep on looking.
Action points:
- Ask family, friends, and business associates for a referral to their website designer
- Pick up the phone and talk to their team
- Write a great brief (remember, what you put in is what you’ll get out!)
- Ask lots of questions
- Keep in mind that investing in a well-designed site often yields significant returns in the long run.
2. Using the wrong content management system (CMS) platform
With many platforms and varying opinions out there, finding the perfect tool can be a real challenge.
Let’s start by breaking down what a ‘content management system’ (CMS) really is. Basically, it’s software that lets you publish, modify, or edit content on your website. From text to photos, graphics, and videos, you can handle it all through a secure admin interface on your web browser. It’s pretty straightforward after a bit of training to keep their site’s content in check. Think adding a new blog post, updating contact info, or introducing a new team member – those everyday upkeep tasks you’d rather not outsource.
Make sure you choose the right CMS from the start.
I’m guessing you’re looking to build your site without breaking the bank, right? Totally makes sense.
With so many platforms and opinions floating around, pinpointing the best tool can feel like navigating a maze. And here’s where things can get tricky.
The road to the left – a ‘CLOSED’ system
On your left is a unique ‘closed’ system that your local web design company has developed from scratch. They’ve customized the software exclusively for their use, giving them full control and understanding of its operations. But why do some companies choose to use these systems?
This approach has its advantages, like being easy to use and offering tighter security measures, which makes it attractive to larger companies that handle content updates internally and prioritise security. However, the downside is being tied to the website designer forever. If they close their business or things just aren’t working out, moving your site will be very difficult. The site needs to be rebuilt, from scratch!
The road to the right – an ‘OPEN’ system
On your right is an ‘open source’ content management system. It’s widely adopted by businesses worldwide, serving millions of users. It’s freely available for download and use, compatible with most hosting services. With the ability to integrate ‘plugins,’ you can easily enhance your website’s functionality. All its files are open for customisation and improvement, offering flexibility and ease of relocation if your relationship with a web designer changes.
There are many open-source platforms available. The world’s most commonly used platform is called WordPress (https://www.wordpress.org).
We’ve chosen WordPress. It powers approximately 43% of all websites online. With hundreds of thousands of web designers very good at using it, finding support for your website is a breeze. If you’re someone who enjoys getting hands-on with technical tasks, you can take charge of most of the setup and configuration yourself. Templates can simplify the heavy lifting behind the scenes, while still allowing your design team to inject their creative input..
Action points:
- Use a self-hosted version of WordPress
- Beware of getting stuck in a “proprietary platform” with limited options
3. Not understanding the bigger picture web strategy
You have a lot of knowledge ready to be shared with the world through high-quality content focused on your business or industry. It’s important for business owners to realize that Google wants great content. With this in mind, we can craft a strategy focused on successful market leadership.
So keeping that in mind, it’s way more than just putting together a website for your business.
Success depends on the quality of your content. While every web strategy is unique, there are some common elements. Here’s an example of what a typical small business’s “online footprint” might look like.
- Self-hosted WordPress website
- Email database opt-in and regular email marketing activities
- Social media sharing and advertising
- Search engine traffic (free and paid)
- Offline advertising and traffic
If you’re not having these discussions about the bigger picture web strategy with your potential web designer, you should definitely start.
The success of your project depends on it.
Action Points:
- First, figure out your web strategy.
- Don’t try to do it all at once, focus on getting your website right.
- Take small steps to improve different parts over time. Consistency and implementation are the key.
4. Poor hosting
Website hosting is basically like your bit of ‘real estate’ on the internet. It’s where all the files that make up your website, like code, images, and scripts, are stored on a fast server connected to the internet. So when someone enters your website’s address into their browser, the server finds the files and sends them to the visitor’s computer. The server space where everything is stored is referred to as ‘website hosting’.
Hosting services vary widely in terms of cost and service. Hosting costs have dropped a lot over the years. Nowadays, it’s easy to find a ‘shared hosting account’ for just a few dollars per month. However, it’s best to avoid these options. Like anything in life, you get what you pay for and hosting is no different. These shared hosting plans tend to crash often and are notoriously slow with poor customer service. Your website load speed is measured by Google and is important to ranking so you want to make sure your site loads fast.
Keeping the core software and plugins of a WordPress website updated and secure is important. Because WordPress is open source, t’s vulnerable to hackers who exploit weaknesses to inject malicious code and links. Their aim? Often to manipulate Google rankings by littering your site with unwanted links. The last thing you want is a bunch of unwanted links on your website!
WordPress continuously develops new security patches and features. It’s important to regularly maintain your site to prevent exposing it to potential threats. A reliable host or web designer will take care of keeping your WordPress updated and secured as part of their service.
Additionally, the platform may include a feature known as a CDN (Content Delivery Network). This entails having a duplicate of your website stored on numerous servers worldwide. When a visitor accesses your site, the version closest to their geographical location loads automatically, resulting in faster load times. As a result, your website will load super-fast!
While such a service typically comes at a higher cost, considering the added benefits of security, maintenance, backups, and support, it becomes the logical choice.
And it better be fast.
A faster server not only improves your Google ranking but also enhances the user experience. Research indicates that even a one-second delay can disrupt a user’s flow and train of thought. After three seconds, the user will abandon your website altogether.
Action points:
- Understand where your site will be hosted
- Always have your own logins and access to the website
- Don’t cut corners on hosting fees.
5. Amateur Design
Often, a website serves as a person’s first interaction with a business!
From that very first encounter of going to Google, typing in a search phrase and clicking on your website you’re on display. People form opinions based on what they see and experience. Your website’s design provokes emotions and influences customers’ desires. It’s essential to make a positive impact; otherwise, you might lose their interest.
Design goes beyond the look and feel of the website; it’s about the overall experience. After all, users control 100% control of their mouse, and if they can’t easily find what they need, they will leave.
Design for conversion
A conversion is when someone picks up the phone, fills out a form or makes a purchase from your website. It’s much more effective to double your conversions—like increasing phone calls, opt-ins, or email inquiries—than it is to double your website traffic (the number of people visiting your website).
A website’s goal is to present information and prompt a response. If visitors can’t find what they need quickly, they’ll leave. To enhance conversions, it’s essential to prioritise user experience and cater to visitors’ needs. Ensure that important information is easily accessible and navigation is intuitive. For instance, placing a phone number prominently on top of every page or making the search bar easily accessible can make a big difference. In today’s competitive digital landscape, where users are less tolerant and distracted, prioritising user satisfaction is key to driving conversions.
Having the end user in mind
Make sure you have a clear understanding of your target audience. What are their objectives when they go to your website? Understanding their characteristics, behaviours and habits will ensure the new design is consistent with what they want to achieve.
Action points:
- Research the leaders in your industry. What are the common design characteristics they use?
- Stay informed about the latest trends in web design.
- Consult your web designer, they are the experts in this field
6. Not making your site mobile friendly
Your new website must shine on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
With over a half of web traffic coming from these gadgets (and it’s growing fast), it’s crucial to cater to mobile users.
The primary aim of a mobile site is to offer a superior user experience and ensure quick loading times for visitors on the go.
Responsive design dynamically adjusts your website to provide best viewing experience, featuring large fonts, user-friendly navigation, and eliminating the need for pinch-and-zoom.
The website adjusts or ‘responds’ to the device accessing it. This means you build one website that looks great and smoothly adapts to every device type. Whether it’s a large desktop monitor, a medium-sized tablet, or a small smartphone screen.
Technically, the website utilises a script to determine the screen size and then adjusts the interface accordingly. The advantage is that you only need to build and maintain one visually appealing website that performs well on different devices. There’s no need for a separate mobile site.
Action points:
- Ensure your new project includes mobile design considerations
- Test your new site on all platforms & devices to ensure it works and formats correctly
7. No on-going plan for content & maintenance
Your website should never gather cobwebs or be left on autopilot. Stagnation can be detected by search engines like Google.
Consistent content updates are key for your site’s success. They’re what really keeps the engine running smoothly.
The downside? It takes lots of work. It takes real effort, and it’s more of a marathon than a sprint. Launching the site is just the starting line.
Here are some important discussions to have with your web designer in the early planning stages:
- Can you help with an ongoing content plan?
- Will you be there to provide ongoing support and assistance in some sort of “continuous improvement plan”?
- Are you practicing what you preach? Can you show me examples of the regular content you are creating on your blog?
Ongoing support often involves a monthly retainer, providing clients with a safety net for site-related issues.
Action points:
- Understand that regular content will need to be added to your website
- Have a content plan
- Ensure there is a monthly support agreement in place
