So you want to create your Own Website?

So you think you want to take your chances and create a website on your own to save some money. Hey if you’re a DIY type person I commend you on taking on this task. You’ve purchased your domain name, a hosting package, and a really great looking template.  Great! I wish you luck my friend…Oh your kid is really good on the computer too? Awesome!  Don’t get me wrong I am in no way knocking templates or DIY services for web sites. They all are great and work if that is the path you choose to take and on the upside they will help you if you get stuck. Right! Oh wait, for an additional fee they will help you with your website.  Yep that sounds about right!

Creating a website is far from Rocket Science but if you don’t understand how everything works you could potentially spend a huge amount of time, energy, and more money than is even necessary on a Website you won’t be happy with.  Years ago I was working with a client who was starting her own business and she like many had tried her hand at creating her own website with a template she purchased and after countless hours and wasted money she came to us.  She was frustrated and couldn’t understand why her site was not working for her.  The DIY Avenue wasn’t what it was cracked up to be she had a website template but that was it! The site sat there doing nothing for her company but taking up space on a sever somewhere and it didn’t look anything like she thought it would.  When we finished she had a site she loved and was starting to see ROI in a few short months.

Still want to try your hand at doing it yourself… Here are a few Website mistakes you will want to avoid when designing a site.

1.The Build it and They will come Philosophy

Ok this one worked in that movie but not when creating a website.  Just because you build a nice looking website doesn’t mean people are going to knock down your door to work with you or purchase your goods.  There is much more work involved… You still have to market your site. Do you know how or in what way you are going to accomplish this?

2. Endless Pages of Content

Research shows that people don’t like to scroll through pages and pages of information on a website.  If a person has to keep scrolling they will get bored and leave a website that has content that seem to go on forever.  You want to make sure that you keep it short and sweet! Can’t do that consider spreading the content on to several different screens but make sure that navigating to those pages and between is easy for your viewer.

 3.Not Understanding SEO

Do you have an understanding of SEO? You can create a great looking like site but if you don’t understand Search Engine Optimization then your site will not be seen by Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.  In order for your site to be included in a search result the Meta Data has to be relevant. Without it your site can sit in No Man’s land.

 4.Technology Overload

One of the things to be very careful with when designing your website is Technology Overload. Just because you can put a really cool flash thingy in the header doesn’t mean you should. Make sure the visual effects and really cool stuff isn’t taking away from your message. If it slows down your website then it isn’t worth the visual effect you get.  Flash is another thing to be wary about. There are so many nice looking flash templates but does your audience utilize Ipads? Flash will not display on Ipads. Something to think about!

 5.Having no Call to Action

The whole purpose of your site is to get business or connect! You want to make sure you have a call to action on your site. Tell your visitors what you want from. Call me today! Buy Now! Sign-up for my newsletter.

Until Next Time—Tina Bryson

tbryson@topazwebdesigns.com