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build my own website

Dec 26
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Building Your Own Website Can Be A Mistake

By Branding, Ecommerce Web Design, Search Engine Optimisation, SEO, The Web Surgery, Web Design, Web Design UK, Website Design Business

wed design londonThe Biggest Mistakes of DIY Websites

Opting to build your own website is something many new business owners try out and most soon decide it isn’t worth the hassle and opt to use a designer instead. A DIY website can save your business a little money but in the long run it won’t be up to the task of promoting your business and getting you the ROI you need to succeed. There are many big mistakes that come with trying to wing it and build your own website and here are some of the most common and most damaging ones.

Not Understanding your Business Needs

You may be convinced what you need is a simple landing page so people know who you are and what you do. We regularly hear the phrase ‘I just need a simple website’ and this is never usually the case. What our customers want is an effective website, one which gets the results they’re looking for and one which challenges and exceeds their competitors. We’ve said it before but your website can be the most powerful tool you have for promoting your business so it needs to be effective in bringing in business and not just a simple template design which you don’t know how to use.

Not Understanding your Audience

It is very easy to get wrapped up in web design if it isn’t your job. Changing colours, sizes and repositioning images can be quite overwhelming and you may spend hours fiddling with colours and sizing to your personal preferences rather than thinking about what your audience needs. Does your website match the ideals and opinions of your target audience? Your website is not part of you, it’s a reflection of your business and should be tailored to suit your business customers. You may love the colour purple but if it doesn’t fit with your brand then you need to avoid it. Many small business owners have template sites setup which perfectly match their personal tastes but don’t actually consider the preferences of their audience. A professional web designer works to construct a website that you are more than happy with but also suits your industry and your audience.

Not Understanding what Google is looking for

Many small and new business owners are shocked to find their website isn’t even close to the first page on Google. There’s a misconception that building a website and leaving it there is enough to please Google and other search engines. This is simply not the case and as we know search engine optimisation is an absolute must to help push your business into the consciousness of Google and other search engines. Optimising your website involves certain elements of design as well as content and building a website yourself, with no knowledge of this, often means that you end up with a site that simply cannot and will not be found by Google. A professional designer will ensure your design is SEO ready and may also be able to advise on how to continue your strategy and implement it regularly to ensure your search engine results page improves.

A DIY design may seem like a cost-effective first step to get your business online but it won’t deliver the results you’re looking for. A professional designer is an investment in your business you won’t regret.

If you would like to know more or find out how we can help you then please call us on 020 8144 6540 or contact us at www.thewebsurgery.com/contact

Sep 16
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What Your Website Needs To Contain

By The Web Surgery, Web Design, Web Design Hammersmith, Web Design London, Web Design Richmond, Web Design Solihull, Website Design Business

web design londonFive Elements every Business Website Needs

Your business website should provide you with a direct opportunity to sell yourself to potential clients. This means more than simply showing off your goods or service though, it means letting them know what you’re all about. Human beings are naturally inquisitive and therefore the chance to get a better feel for the people behind the brand often goes down well too. Anyway, first things first, here are five critical elements that are essential to an effective business website.

Attention Grabbing Headline

The first thing people should see when visiting your website its headline, a tagline perhaps which concisely and clearly tells them what you do or what you offer. It should show off the most important benefit of your product or service. You need to stand out from the crowd and offer something unique and you need to tell every visitor this as quickly as possible, piquing their interest and keeping them engaged.

Effective Copy

Though this many not be down to your designer it is something you can discuss with them, especially if they have a marketing team or contacts in the industry. Your copy needs to be promotional and sales-orientated without being over the top. Your users want to know what you’ve got to offer but they don’t want it rammed down their throat. Your copy should highlight exactly why you visitors need your product or service and also instil trust.

User-Friendly Navigation

A confusing or slow website never keeps customers coming back for more. If you want your customers to come back again and again then you need to put their first. User experience has to be your number one priority and this means simply and clear navigation, an accessible menu and regularly testing page load speeds to ensure they’re fast enough to keep customers coming. Super-sized images and cluttered pages can slow down speed along with a range of underlying issues which may become apparent if you opt for a predesigned template or DIY website.

The Right Images

Images are part and parcel of what sells your business, especially if it is product based. Product shots can really lift the effectiveness of your website but erring on the side of caution when it comes to size and resolution will help ensure your page loading time isn’t scuppered. Thumbnail images are the best way to go for websites with a large product range as they allow for speedy load time and the option of enlarging the image where necessary.

Call to Action

If you want your website to result in sales then it needs to do more than show off what you can do, you need to actively direct people to make that purchase. Your call to action needs to be clear, bold and easy to follow. Easy to understand directions on how to make a purchase will ensure customers have no confusion when it comes to clicking that link and buying the item in question.

With these key elements in place your website will have the basics it needs to attract the right kind of attention.

If you would like to know more or find out how we can help you then please call us on 020 8144 6540 or contact us at www.thewebsurgery.com/contact

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