1.  If you build it, they will come.  Right?

Nope!  You can't just create a website and expect it to be effective.  The primary reason is lack of website traffic.  If you want a positive ROI on your website project, plan on investing in Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Then when customers are using keywords in Google to find you, you'll be right there on their results page.
 

2.  Spending too much money to create the website

Some small businesses spend thousands of dollars developing their website.  When you're starting out, or you're a small business, budget can be tight. You need to be thinking strategically about what has the biggest bang for the buck. Investing marketing dollars on-line is strategic and can be VERY EFFECTIVE, but there are a lot of companies delivering conflicting information, inadequate results and charging too much for it. Dollar for dollar, you get a much greater Return-On-Investment (ROI) when you invest in ways to increase traffic to your website such as Search Engine Optimization and lead generation.
 

3.  Flash!  Just like that, you're gone!

Some websites are programmed using a animated technology called 'Flash'.  They look incredible, have animation, video and sound.  The problem is the development of good flash animation is time consuming, difficult to update and pure flash-based sites rank near the bottom of search results because search engines are not friendly to the content on Flash websites.  Even HTML websites can be hurt in the search rankings if they contain flash objects that are placed in the wrong location. There are right ways and wrong ways to utilize flash animation.

4.  Too many graphics

Images take time to load and website visitors are notoriously impatient.  Unless visitors are expecting photos (like in a photo gallery or real estate website), keep it simple and keep the images to a minimum.  Also, when you change the dimensions of a large image and make it smaller on your website, you're not changing the file size.  You must make the image smaller using a graphics editing tool and then save it with the smaller dimensions.  Then you can upload it to your website.  It will have smaller dimensions and a smaller file size which will allow it to load much faster.  Incidentally, our system takes your image and resizes it proportionately , thus reducing the file size and giving you the optimal size without sacrificing load speed time or visual appeal.

5.  Having a friend who knows computers create your website

We've seen this one a few times!  You know someone who's good with computers and says he can build a website for you.  He has a day job but this is something he would be willing to do "on the side" for you.  Be very careful here.  If he's so good at it, why isn't he doing it full time?

It's one thing to be good with computers, it's something totally different to be a professional graphic website artist, a web programmer who's up to date on the latest evolutions and uses of technology on the web and an SEO expert.  Do they have a marketing MBA? Are they a copy writer? Will they invest 35 hours of work for search engine optimization? Seriously, what good is your website if no one finds it?

Will you be able to make changes yourself?  Don't just take 'Yes' as an answer.  Ask them to show you how to do it so you can see how easy it is (or isn't).  Will they have the time available to make urgent changes to your site?  Remember, this is only a part time gig for them and they're doing you a favor.

Anyone can swing a hammer, but that doesn't mean you'd let them build your house.

We have worked with many non-profits and small companies who are fed up with their web site progress. The story usually goes that a volunteer offerred to build it and a year later it's half built and the project is defunct. There are some projects you just can't give to a single volunteer. However, we could build the site and train that volunteer how to manage it for you.

This is your business' brand and reputation on the web.  This is the first place some of your customers will see you.  First impressions count, especially on the web where a different choice is only a click away.  Your business is too important and your reputation too valuable to risk by going with anyone who is "part time". 

Our process and technology are proven.  Our quality is top-shelf and our prices are very affordable.  Let us give you a ring and we'll walk you through how this process works.