When is it likely that your desire to express your creativity might not be in your best interests?
I can think of several possibilities with creative accounting right at the top of the list, however the one that gets many entrepreneurs, business owners and professionals into trouble is building their own websites, getting hooked on the creative side of it and taking hours away from running their businesses. I have been guilty of that myself. A similar time waster is to choose the cheapest quote for website design only to regret it later because it does not do what you expected.
There is a fine line between helping your creativity blossom by doing new non-business activities like music, the visual arts or visiting new places, and becoming engrossed in a business activity that should be delegated to someone else.
While we are on the topic of creativity this week, and to help you avoid the trap of being creatively distracted, here is an experts view..
Today’s post is by guest author Eric Rowen the founder of Silver 6 Media and a renowned website designer in Brantford, South West Ontario.
Hire a professional web designer or get a website done on the cheap?
Would you install electrical wiring in your new house? I mean most of us are physically capable of doing it? Why not just Google a “How to” video and a few minutes later – you’re done. I’m going to go out on a limb and say most of us wouldn’t do that. We would hire a professional to ensure the best results.
When looking into firms or individuals that offer web design services, typically one of the first things that comes to mind is price. While you might be tempted to hire the firm that offers the lowest price – there is typically a reason they have the cheapest price on the market and a cheap website is very unlikely to add value to your business.
There are so many benefits to a professionally built website that you simply won’t get with that buddy that can do one for only a hundred bucks.
Factors such as:
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increased traffic
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great looking design and complimentary color scheme
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intuitive functionality
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strategic placement of buttons/icons
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search engine optimization
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responsive design
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options for future growth
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and sometimes the most valuable factor -Experience.
Too often I meet with clients that tell me stories about their bad previous experience. Commonly heard phrases include:
“They suddenly stopped returning my calls”
“He disappeared/moved and I cant find him”
“My website doesn’t generate any inquiries”
..and the dreaded..
“I can’t find the guy and don’t have any of the usernames &/or passwords to my website or domain name registrar.”
You may need to spend hours or even weeks solving your problems/issues.
And in the case of a broken or non-functioning website what are your customers thinking of you and your business during this time? All to often these bargain basement operators go out of business – leaving you empty handed.
If you are one of these unfortunate people, suddenly that whiz kid next door charging you next to nothing doesn’t seem like such a bargain any more.
If you are wanting a website to share those family vacation photos or to show off a hobby, than that may be a different story. But if your business is your livelihood and you want potential customers to see your business as a professional one that can provide value to your customers then I strongly suggest you take the time to evaluate what role your website will play in your business and its strategic marketing plan.
Much in the same way that a shiny professionally designed and printed brochure makes an impression so does one made with a word-processing program printed on cheap paper stock. What you have to ask yourself is what kind of image do I want to project to my potential customers?
When seeking out someone to create your website the old adage “you get what you pay for” certainly plays a role as it does in almost every other industry/sector.
Safeguard your next website project against potential catastrophe. Invest in a web design professional with high quality work, a great reputation and be prepared to pay a fair and reasonable rate.
Eric Rowen is the founder of Silver 6 Media. He also writes, co-organizes Brant WordPress Meetups, speaks on web design/development and WordPress topics. You can find him on Twitter
Read more on Eric’s site Silver 6 Media.
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Thank you Eric.
Do you find yourself being creatively distracted from the most important work you should be doing to build an extraordinary life?
Photos by Eric Rowen / Silver6 Media
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Love the premise!
I excel in Talking to People, one at a time or collectively to an audience.
That is what generates Cash Flow and Profit.
One of our businesses also offers the service of building and maintaining successful sites.
I am NOT good at it BUT….
an associate is.
Logically conclusion, I talk and he designs.
We met because I need someone to help me 10 years ago
Thanks Chuck, good example of each using your own strengths to maximum advantage.
I finally took control of my website this past winter. It was an arduous task.
In hindsight, I did waste a ton of time because of the learning curve–I am not a techie. But, sorting it all out was a therapeutic and worthwhile exercise for me in terms of distilling down and fleshing out exactly what I wanted to project about my brand (subject to change).
I wish I had linked arms with a professional who could have pointed me along the way just to learn even more about the process–not necessarily to save time. All the rumination created clarity for me.
On the other hand, I am a huge believer of paying people for their expertise. I’ve had horses for almost 40 years and I still don’t do my own blacksmithing even though I’ve watched the farrier for years.
My husband grew up poor and his family did everything themselves from roofing to wiring to plumbing to auto repair. My family was upper middle class and paid to have everything done. My hope is that our daughter learns valuable do-it-yourself life skills AND that she learns the value of paying for services because she honours what her own time is worth.
Thanks for your thoughts Cait, much like you, I have also watched the farrier for years, but only put new nails in a loose shoe or do some minor trimming if absolutely necessary and no farrier available. Good job on your website by the way.