Distrust Designers?

Web Design Issues to be Aware of…

Website Pricing

• Hidden Costs: Unexpected charges or fees that inflate the final project cost.
• Ongoing Expenses: The perception that website maintenance is an ongoing financial burden.
• Limited Budgets: Difficulty finding affordable options that meet their needs.

Don’t Know What Must Be on the Website

• Project Delays: Web designers not meeting deadlines or delivering projects on time.
• Lack of Control: Feeling like they’re at the mercy of the web designer for updates or changes.
• Steep Learning Curve: Difficulty understanding website management and updates post-launch.

What is a Good Website Anyways?

• Inconsistent Quality: Variations in design quality and functionality from one project to another.
• Ineffective Websites: Websites that don’t generate leads or sales.
• Difficulty Measuring ROI: Challenges in tracking the impact of the website on the business.

Being Lied To

• Lack of Transparency: Difficulty understanding the design process and decision-making.
• Miscommunication: Misunderstandings between the client and the web designer.
• Feeling Pressured or Manipulated: Feeling coerced into making decisions or purchasing additional services.

Questions you can ask web designers…

Will my new website get traffic and new clients?

What does a website cost?

What does a web designer do?

What is the difference between a web designer and a web developer?

How long does it take to create a website?

What is the difference between custom websites and template-based websites?

How do I choose the right web designer for my business?

What is the process for creating a website?

Can you redesign my current website or improve its performance?

What are the most common tools used in web design?

Can you help me with my website’s content?

Do you offer SEO services?

Can you integrate my website with social media platforms or other tools?

How do you ensure my website is mobile-friendly?

Can you help me set up an online store (e-commerce)?

How do you ensure my website is fast and performs well?

What kind of support do web designers offer after the website is launched?

How will my website be maintained after it’s live?

How often should I update my website?

What happens if my website goes down or is hacked?

What happens if I need changes after the website is completed?

Can I edit my website content myself after it’s built?

What kind of security measures do you implement on websites?

How do you handle website hosting and domain registration?

How do you ensure my website stays up-to-date with the latest trends and technology?

Why don’t some web designers give access to the website’s backend?

What are unethical design practices to be aware of?

What happens if my website is hacked or compromised?

What is the difference between UX and UI, and how do they affect my website?

How will you help me track my website’s performance?

How will my website help me generate leads or sales?

It is critical that all business owners, no matter how small, understand the basics of the world wide web, of domains, of websites and hosting on servers. By understanding domains and websites, offline businesses can make informed decisions. They can avoid getting locked into ‘website builders’ and ensure they have true ownership of their online presence. This is crucial, because even a small business that makes most of its money offline can benefit from a strong online presence. On a different note, if you need to market your small business on a tight budget, read this article here.