Many web companies are in it for the money, if I’m being honest. Ryan didn’t start working with Garrett so that he could have pocket change when going to Starbucks with him. He usually buys anyway and arguing is pointless, especially if Noel (his wife) is around. There is no winning with her.
Starbucks aside, though, the reality is that a web company is often bent toward sending you to the product or service that is going to make them the most money. That means it is going to be important to know what state your website is in: the level at which it is functioning, where you would like to go with it and two very important questions.
Function Level
Is your website functioning? You might say, “Yes, when people type in my web address they can get to my web page.” That’s good. However, when they get there, is the design specific enough for them to navigate your site and is the navigation aspect still small enough to not interfere with your content? Are the colors and logos consistent with your current branding? Are you able to be found in search engines with your current SEO set up?
Knowing these answers beforehand helps Garrett and Ryan know what is needed to work on for you. If you’re working with another company it is important to know this information so that you aren’t pushed toward something that you don’t actually need.
Where Do You Want To Go?
After you have done your assessment above you will then want to think about where you want to go with your website. You will have specifics if you’ve thoroughly answered the questions you asked yourself above. You’ll know if you need online store functionality or if your current system is working well for you. You may discover that the contact page for placing an order is no longer working well in relation to the volume of orders it generates and you really need an online store. You might also find that you have other functionality that is needed.
Knowing where you would like to go with your site helps Garrett and Ryan know the time it is going to take to make your site fantastic. If you’re working with another company, you can use this information to make sure that you’re not getting a big box for a little change.
Knowing the Difference: Two Questions You Can Ask Yourself
Thanks for staying this long. You’ve been patient so I will get right to it: there are two questions that you can ask yourself and know whether or not you’re being sold a product or your web company is serving your needs.
Question 1: Are the Changes I Need on the Stage?
If your changes are things like colors and page layout that your customers or viewers see, these are usually fixes that don’t change the functions of your site. The reality is that your site functionality and your design go hand in hand and work together but are two separate things. So, if a web company tells you that a complete overhaul is necessary, you will want to ask questions as to why.
Questions 2: Are the Changes I Need Behind the Curtain?
You may actually have some things that require changes to your actual code. However, the stage shouldn’t change. For example, if you’re told that an online store can be added but the color scheme of your current site will be lost and there’s no way to really change it, you’re going to want to ask why. Why ask why? Because there no reason that adding a feature to your site should take away from your branding…ever.
The good news is that by asking these two questions, you can actually answer yes to both of them at times. That’s okay, too. A good web company, like Webbin’ It, is going to be able to get you a complete solution. However, if any web company tells you that something will have to change and it doesn’t fit your needs, ask why. After that, since you have done a good audit of your needs to start with, you will find that you can field their reasoning effectively and decide for yourself if they’re serving you or trying to get “another one signed up.”
Thanks for your time. I hope that now that you see our thinking behind what we do, you’ll pick us for all of your web needs.
You’re not everywhere unless you’re Webbin’ It
Related
