This post addresses the top 5 challenges of owning a website… and solutions, because that’s the part we love.
1. Technology changes and I can’t afford to keep up with it all.
True that. Major browsers such as Safari, FireFox, Chrome and Internet Explorer are constantly updating which can affect how your website displays. Plus, the way we use the Internet evolves, such as the drastic increase of mobile Web surfers.
So what’s the solution? First off, make sure your website is built with the latest coding languages, which currently is HTML5 and CSS3. Another way to make sure your website is built for tomorrow, is by implementing responsive design.
Responsive design makes viewing your website on any mobile device or screen size simple and beautiful. This means the design displays differently depending on the screen size it is being viewed on, instead of just shrinking. Here are some great samples of responsive design to visually understand how this works.
2. Design looses its freshness over time so what’s the point of custom design?
The problem is really design fads and phases. A design concept catches on and what was once fresh is now stale. What comes to mind are post-its, page peels, wood grain and coffee rings, for example.
The best way to avoid becoming a casualty of any given trend, is to either redesign as trends evolve in order to stay ahead of what’s hot – or – keep your design simplistic and focus on functionality and user experience instead.
3. Content can’t be static anymore, so how do I manage that if I don’t know how to code?
Static content refers to content that is not meant to change frequently, and changing it usually means calling your Web developer. This used to work just fine, but social media has changed the way we want our web content. Everything is NOW and social media gives you the ability to quickly spread the word about a promotion or event, but you need somewhere to point your fans and followers for all the details and that should be your branded website.
The good news is that you don’t have to know code anymore to be able to do this. Most websites these days are built on a CMS (Content Management System) which means all you have to do is login to an admin area to add/edit/remove pages and content. Sweet huh?! The time frame from when you think of the idea to making it public is virtually minutes.
4. I don’t understand hosting. The whole process is overwhelming.
Hosting companies speak a language that is totally foreign to most people… and that can be scary. I would presume that most Web design companies would assist in this process if not completely handle it for the client, as we do. As a word to the wise, it’s always best to choose a hosting company that is largely supported and available 24/7 for customer support.
5. My budget restricts my ability to have a good website, but a sucky website is better than nothing.
Budgets can be a b*#@&, but a sucky website is an even bigger problem. It can frustrate customers and destroy your brand perception.
If there is absolutely no budget, I would invest in a professional logo to put everywhere and work your Facebook page, hard. Then make sure your business is on Google Maps and add your Facebook URL to your company profile so customers have a better chance of finding the right information.
If there is a small budget, you can hire a designer to customize a WordPress theme. Here at Liquis we have developed a variety of WordPress themes ready for branding and content. These layouts are not available to the public, only clients, so the chances of someone ever seeing a website with the same theme as yours is slim to none.
Of course both of these solutions are only a quick fix. If you want to your business to grow, your brand has to grow first. Only you know when the right time is to make that investment, but don’t discount what professional design and customized Web development can do for your customer’s experience with your brand.
