There are many common misconceptions about websites that don’t seem to go away. Here are 7 of them in order to not only set the record straight but also share our Web Design approach and philosophy:

Misconception #1: “It is Not Important How a Website Looks”
Many people believe that it’s the content of the site that matters and that visual factors are unimportant. We agree to some point because some designs in recent years have gotten way too flashy and too over the top to be effective. It is true that an informational site does not need a flash intro that resembles a movie trailer that takes 20 seconds to load. But what IS important is the perception of value people get when they look at your site.
If your website looks like you spent a lot of money on it will most certainly make people trust your business more than a less than professional aoppearance. More importantly, though: Web Designers build an interface between a business and its' customers. While it is true that this interface does not primarily need to look pretty, it still needs to provide an uncluttered experience that communicates the high value of the business as well as its' unique selling proposition. If the site fails to signal all these things within the first 10 seconds, your business may not be considered and a competitor will likely get the business.

Misconception # 2: “The Traffic to the Site is More Relevant than the Design”
This can easily get into one of those “what was first, the chicken or the egg?” discussions. The truth is, both are important. There IS, however a factor often overlooked in this argument: Most business is done strategically between partners.
Many times Entrepreneur A will meet Business Owner B at a social function and business cards are exchanged if there is a feeling that the two businesses have complimentary products or shared clientele. An ugly or ineffective website will make Business Owner B less likely to form an alliance with Entrepreneur A, when it may very well have been this synergetic alliance that would have created the success for Entrepreneur A’s product.

Businesses don’t exist in a vacuum. Therefore a public presence (Logos, Business Cards, Websites) can have a dramatic effect on business growth (including ultimately sales) because of the increased overall perception of value. Web-traffic to the site can therefore be of secondary importance compared to the visual impact.

Misconception # 3: “I know my website is confusing but my target audience will “Get” what this is about”
While it is true that a website should look different, depending on who it’s targeting because different audiences have different attention spans, triggers and values, it’s still very important to instantly communicate “what it is” you’re selling and how it could be of value, even to people who are not necessarily in your target group for he same reason laid out in # 2: Business is done on a B2B level as much or more than on a B2C level. Any unsuccessful product is only one strategic alliance away from becoming successful. Therefore businesses and entrepeneurs need to broadcast their value and communicate beyond the limited scope of a small target audience.

Next week:
Misconception # 4" I don’t want to spend a lot of money on polishing my website... I can always do that later when I'm profitable"

4. I know my site isn’t perfect but I do it myself and it looks pretty good
5. I use a black background because I want my site to be different
6. I don’t believe in “branding” my website…I’m selling brand name articles, that should be enough
7. I am a …. And therefore I don’t need a website

Please click below to see a few examples websites we have created: