07/02/2022
There is one thing that I often tell my clients' that I do consulting for. They come to me for help because they want to create their own website but they aren't really sure where to start and they want to do it right the first time.
That one thing is GET READY TO ALWAYS BE LEARNING if you want a great website.
People often either love or hate Wordpress and that often because of how incredibly dynamic it is. Because you can achieve the same task in so many different ways, it can be difficult to know which is the best way for your particular needs. So, that brings me to my first point:
1. You can never know it all, but you can become the best for what you need.
- Just like every business, no website is the same. With a clear enough understanding of the functionalities and components you need, you are equipped to successfully research what to get and why. If you are prepared to put the legwork into properly understanding what elements will work best for you, you will benefit exponentially in the long term. Too often it's easy to apply the first plugin or software integration option one finds to achieve a result and too often, this is the wrong option. This is when, in the long-term you will likely be learning the hard way!
TAKE-AWAYS:
a. Have a clear understanding of what you need in the first place before looking.
b. Thoroughly research your options by checking out reviews, inclusions, comparing pricing and understanding what you don't need!
2. Technology is always evolving.
- Yes, this is no surprise to anyone and yet people often create a website, launch it and then forget about its existence until a problem comes up. Just like a car needs regular service, if you aren't continuously checking in on your site briefly to keep it well maintained, you're likely going to be running into user experience and browser ranking issues down the line. Trust me! It's easier to keep your website humming along happily and maintained then it is dealing with overlapping issues later down the track!
TAKE-AWAYS:
a. By keeping your website regularly maintained and updated, you will stay familiar with the evolving technology that your website uses.
b. Staying engaged with your website and how you can always be improving it will likely benefit you considerably with search engine optimisation (SEO).
3. Your users are always evolving too!
- Don't forget that with the fast-paced world we live in, people are always advancing to knew ways of doing things and with this always comes new expectations. It's important to reflect on this as a business owner, as you know, and forward thinking upgrades to your website could be the difference between you and your competition. For example, businesses that are yet to provide payment options directly through their site may find they are now slipping behind in popularity.
TAKE-AWAY
a. Always be learning about your users and what they want. Ask them questions and connect with them without making the assumption that you know what they want already.
b. Keep an eye on what your competition are doing on their website to see if they are offering a new functionality that you could learn about and apply to your website.
4. In parallel with your business, you website is never complete!
- As your business grows and/or changes, there will always be a reason to keep your website relevant. Outdated information is a pet hate for many. Have you ever Googled when a cafe or restaurant opens, only to find out when you arrive that the times have changed? Or maybe the menu isn't what it outlines online?
TAKE-AWAYS
a. As your business changes, make sure you are learning what that means for your website. Maybe you need new visual content and written copy. Maybe you'll need to learn how to restructure your site altogether.
Essentially, if you are hoping to create your own website, it's important to remember that its going to be a long term commitment if you want it to be great. The initial learning curve will be huge as you try to navigate all of the new methods and technologies that are required but it the long term, you will have a powerful marketing tool that you have customised to work perfectly for your needs.
If you have any questions about the method you should consider when beginning the process of building a website, please leave a comment below!
https://www.emilyalicedesigns.com/
