If you’re feeling pressure to build a website for your company, you’re not alone. Even if you don’t want to sell your products or services directly over the Internet, simply maintaining a professional-looking, well-functioning Internet site can help a new company seem more established. (Conversely, having an unappealing, poorly functioning site hurts.) Before you get started on that online component to your business, though, consider these harmful, common misconceptions:
Your website will be many people’s first impression of your company, products and services. As a result, your site represents a critical component of your branding strategy. It communicates who you are, what you offer and what you promise (your brand) through three things:
Your logo design is one of the most important elements of a business website. Your logo is the visual brand icon that helps visitors recognize and recall your brand image and promise. Simply sticking your logo design in the upper-left corner of your website and calling it a day isn’t giving your brand identity the importance it deserves.
A business website is no longer an option — it’s a necessity. More people conduct Internet searches to find business and products today than they use the printed Yellow Pages. You need to be represented in those consumer online searches even if you don’t actually sell products or services online. If your website looks unappealing or functions poorly, it could hurt your business more than it helps it. But before you start to develop your business website, make sure you know what to avoid so your efforts are rewarded, not ignored or criticized.