Before searching for Web designers in South Wales, ask yourself – Is that what I really need?

Build a business not just a Web site (image credit: dok1)

A Web site or an Online Business ?

Your on the right track, a well built optimised website is essential, but its only half the story.

Unfortunately, many designers are not marketers. Design is important, but it is only important once somebody has found you and is looking at your business web site. Being found online is often the result of a combination of planning and tactics (SEO, PPC, Affiliate & Social etc ) Working with these channels often requires a different skill set to those of your typical designer. You don’t need to think like 20 something web design expert, you need to think like your customers.

Cues

If after 15 minutes the design firm hasn’t asked you about your business, and how you plan to get people to your site, alarm bells should ring.

However if they are actively engaged with you and chipping in with advice on landing pages, site structure and content you should be encouraged. You should feel even more reassured if they start talking about your CRM or email marketing requirements, they are clearly interested in how you will retain your customers.

The Content problem

Content is why people come to your site.  Most web projects are delayed because of problems developing content. Most web designers believe that content is down to business, and as such they will wait until the client comes up with the goods. Spotting good content opportunities and knowing how to develop them is not typical of Web design firms, but good relevant content is often the first step in getting you noticed.

Why do most website designs look similar?

In our opinion there are two reasons why web sites tend to fall into a few different design patterns.

The first is the idea of ‘convention’ in design. User friendly web sites offer the visitor familiarity, consistency, navigation and feedback. In short, people are comfortable when they know where things are.

The second reason follows on from the above point.  If there are accepted and proven design conventions, it makes sense to build web sites based on a selection of templates that share familiar layout and navigation and customise them. (Its the content that helps sites stand out).

South Wales or Eastern Europe

We live and work in an increasingly connected world. IT work can easily be outsourced and often across disperate teams. Template based web designs can be cheaply built abroad. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, if you are able to select from a wider pool you often get high quality professionals.

Where do you need to allocate resource?

The web is awash with sites that never get traffic. Small businesses often make the mistake of blowing their budget on design and fail to think about the business side of things. Spend on the build but leave funds for marketing.

Build your business, not just a Web site