Can someone turn down the internet please!
If you are looking to get a Website for your business, there are now more options than ever before! Creating a website is more accessible to anyone these days...which is great news!
But it does make it INCREDIBLY CONFUSING too!
It doesn't take long to be overwhelmed sifting through the infinite options and opinions online.
Most people aren't exactly sure what they want from a website at first, so this can make them susceptible to marketing propaganda.
So what can you do? How do you know what the best option is for you?
Working in a footwear department in a large retail store helped me to understand that when you are presented with a lot of choice (a wall full of running shoes) it's important to know that not all the shoes are an option for the customer.
Essentially there were 3 kinds of customers looking for running shoes - The recreational runners, the moderate runner and the elite runner.
So for the recreational runner - an entry level shoe was presented to them at an affordable price point and that shoe would be more than sufficient for their needs. And so on, all the way up to the more expensive shoe for the Triathlete or elite runner.
Problems occurred when expectations weren't met. It never ceased to amaze me the amount of times someone would come in complaining about how many shoes they go through only to discover they bought an entry level shoe and ran every day in them!
Like anything in life - you get what you pay for.
So to start on the 'right foot,' you need to ask yourself some questions.
1. What is the outcome you want to achieve?
Are you after a website to:
- Market your business online?
- To gain more customers?
- Broaden your business influence?
- Manage your ever expanding customer database?
- Are you just afraid of being left behind so you need a shopfront online?
Without a goal, you are in danger of paying a lot more than you need to.
2. What is your budget for a website?
If you don't want to get caught out with a website that doesn't meet your expectations - speak to your Customer Service Representative about what your money can get you.
Having a 'good looking' website is less than half the job done to having a healthy website that makes you money. There are also things to consider like ongoing SEO and Social Media.
Yes, almost anything is possible these days online, but again, you get what you pay for!!
To summarise
Whatever you do, don't rush into paying for a website without doing some homework first. Ask around, Who had great service, where did they get it from?
It's important to 'grow organically' - this refers to your website starting small and growing as your business grows and changes.
If you are after that first step online we would be happy to speak to you about what your needs are for a website. Click here.