Websites: Think before you DIY!

My clients often ask me about social media marketing. After all, that’s what I do and what I’m passionate about! Most of them want to know how to ‘get more’ from their Facebook page.  And I’m absolutely 100% on board. I think it’s pretty clear that I love Facebook and other social media platforms [more on this in a later blog]! But as an online marketing specialist I always ask my clients FIRST: “are you 100% happy with your website?” The answer is often “um, I think so”.

Well I think it’s important to “know so!” Your website is the heartbeat of your online marketing strategy. Social media, including Facebook and Twitter, can enhance your online presence – but it’s your website that is the centre of it all.

Having a beautiful looking website that is easy to navigate and that serves as a functional and effective portal for showcasing your product or service is imperative. A website is a digital advertisement and company portfolio that is available online anytime your existing or prospective customers want to know more about you and why they should do business with you.

And even though there are a lot of DIY website building sites out there that allow anyone with a smidge of “desktop publishing” skill to whip up something pretty… will anyone be able to find it online?

This is where I need to mention that phrase that is now a buzz word in it’s own right – SEO.

Anyone can whip up a website, but if you don’t understand Search Engine Optimisation, your website can get lost in the ether.

The moral to the story is this: don’t rush in to creating a website thinking you’re saving yourself money by taking the DIY option.

If you want to have a successful online marketing strategy, you need to start by ensuring your website is not only pretty, but also functional and has all that “back engine” stuff in place too.

“Plan first and implement second” has always been my motto. So when considering a website, consider consulting with Sharpe Design Solutions to map out your site, including structure, flow, content, keywords, page titles, meta tags, links, blogs, etc.

So, If you just read that last sentence and are thinking “um, I’ve made a pretty page but I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about [lol]” then maybe you should give me a call on 02 4333 6274 or email: jody@sharpedesignsolutions.com.au.


Author: Jody Sharpe, Sharpe Design Solutions