There’s no shortage of advice out there about how to build a successful business. Some of it is good, some of it isn’t. It’s no wonder that business owners tend to get the wrong idea about having a website.
Unfortunately, there are many common myths surrounding having a website, but it doesn’t have to be that way!
Your business website is often the best tool you have at your disposal when trying to market your products or services.
In this myth-busting blog, I shoot down some of those misconceptions and share some real “website wisdom” so you can make your own informed decisions.
Let the truth be revealed!
WEBSITE MYTH 1: ONCE I LAUNCH MY WEBSITE, I’LL IMMEDIATELY GET LEADS…
One of the biggest mistakes that many business owners make is believing their website will automatically start attracting leads as soon it goes live. The ‘build it and they will come’ is a common misconception where people believe that since they’ve invested money to build a website, leads will start flowing in immediately. Well, I hate to break it to you but it’s not that simple…
Getting your website launched is only half the work. It’s not enough to just build a site and hope for traffic; you need your content strategy in order, too!
THE TRUTH…
You can have the best website in the world but, in reality, attracting leads takes work. If you don’t market your business, no one will know about you or your website.
First off, you need to make sure that your website is set up to convert your visitors into leads by capturing their information (typically with your lead magnet or newsletter).
Then, you need to focus on traffic generating strategies such as SEO (search engine optimization), social media, blogging, paid ads, etc. Once you get started, you’ll find out which strategies work best for your website.
The bottom line is, you have to take action; when you do, you’ll begin seeing an increase in traffic (and leads).
WEBSITE MYTH 2: MY BUSINESS DOESN’T NEED A WEBSITE
The second myth is about whether or not your business needs a website. The truth is, it’s hard to imagine any business without a website these days.
However, many people still think that they can rely on social media and/or word of mouth referrals and don’t need a website.
They don’t see the value in having a website and are happy to generate leads through word of mouth like they always have.
THE TRUTH…
Over 30% won’t even consider a business if it doesn’t have a website so it’s not enough to just hang out on social media. Many people take the time to research your business before buying and your website is the first thing they will look for.
All types of businesses need a website to not only attract new people but to build a relationship with clients as well. The more value you provide, the more trust you’ll earn, which is critical when you’re trying to grow your business.
A website allows you to update your customers with new services and offers easier than traditional methods. Plus, it enables people to have access to your business 24/7 without having to wait for you to be available.
Related Post: 8 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Website
WEBSITE MYTH 3: IF MY WEBSITE LOOKS GOOD, I WILL INSTANTLY MAKE MORE SALES
A well-designed website helps you to make an impression on your customers, but it won’t necessarily account for a rise in sales.
Some people believe the design of their website has more influence over how they perform as a business than it really does.
They assume that making their website look more attractive will gain more customers and ultimately more sales. However, a great looking website does not always lead to a great looking business.
THE TRUTH…
A beautiful website is a great way to attract new people and provide them with an excellent user experience. However, it’s the quality of your services and reputation in the market that really matter most. A website is only as good as the services it provides.
If you prioritize design over providing amazing value for visitors, then you are going off track because appearance doesn’t do anything by itself – you still have to offer something valuable or engaging if people want to keep coming back!
If you concentrate on creating real value for your visitors, your site will serve its purpose.
WEBSITE MYTH 4: ONCE YOUR WEBSITE IS UP, THE WORK IS DONE
When you launch a website, that’s only the beginning. While most people understand the need to nurture and maintain other aspects of their business, they sometimes fail to grasp the fact that their website needs ongoing attention too.
THE TRUTH…
When you launch your new website, it’s time to start marketing.
Now that your website is live, it’s time to get the word out by providing valuable content (creating a blog is great for this) and creating a community of people who are interested in what you do and want to continue to be a part of it.
Aside from marketing your business, you’ll also need to maintain your website.
This includes renewing your domain registration, keeping plugins and themes up-to-date, protecting your website from viruses and cybercrime, and updating the design with current trends.
Related Post: 4 big website maintenance mistakes to avoid
WEBSITE MYTH 5: I CAN CREATE MY OWN WEBSITE & SAVE MONEY
A lot of business owners believe that they can save money by DIYing their website.
Many people are afraid to outsource because they think it’s very expensive. They’ve been made to believe that creating a website is a long process, requiring them to hire someone that will charge an exorbitant fee.
Then you have the platforms that make it seem easier than what it really is…
THE TRUTH…
If you are not a web developer, you will most likely end up wasting a ton of time and energy and guess what… time = money!!
Here’s a little activity for you:
Look at how much your hourly rate is and then decide how long you think it will take you to learn how to build and design your website… then do the math (hourly rate X learning curve). Likely, you’ll realize you can save money by hiring someone else!
You are awesome at what you do… and that’s probably not web design (and that’s ok).
As an entrepreneur, you know how important it is to build a strong brand. Your website represents who you are and what you offer so you want it to be done right – otherwise, why have one?
Hiring someone with experience will help make sure that everything comes together beautifully; which will result in a client-attracting website that communicates the right message to your audience.
Simply put, a professional looking website will convert and is going to make you money. A poorly designed website will not convert and will only lose you money.
Considering how important your website is to your business and the fact that the first impression is usually the last impression, what is that worth?
Keep in mind that 57% of people won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed website.
WEBSITE MYTH 6: THE MORE FEATURES I HAVE, THE BETTER
It’s a misconception that having more features on your website will make it better. Sometimes people add new features to their site just because they can!
It might seem like this would improve the user experience and bring in traffic but often times these additions are not necessary or helpful for visitors.
THE TRUTH…
More features = more distractions and/or choices. Adding too many unnecessary features could be detrimental to how well your site performs.
I recommend that you keep your website simple because, honestly, your audience doesn’t care about bells and whistles. What they care about is the value they get from your services.
If your website is too busy or distracting, it’s likely that visitors will have a negative experience and won’t stick around long enough to convert into a lead.
You want to make decision making easy so they know exactly what their next step is! Focus on a simple design that enhances the features, attracts visitors and limits distractions.
THE TRUTH HAS BEEN REVEALED!
I’ve heard a lot of opinions when it comes to digital marketing, and the importance of having a website and I’m sure you have too…
Take the information with a grain of salt, because myths like the ones covered above are very common.
Whether or not you decide to DIY your website or hire someone, you should always start by doing your own research. By making informed choices, you’ll avoid all the myths and stick to the reality of what it takes to have a client-attracting website.
Are there any myths on our list that you believed to be true? Let me know in the comments!
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