Introduction
In the fast-paced world of business, first impressions matter. When it comes to your online presence, your website is often the first point of contact for potential clients. Unfortunately, some businesses underestimate the impact of a poorly designed website. In this article, we'll explore a recent experience with an impatient prospective client who attempted a DIY approach to web development and the consequences they faced.
The Client's Journey
Our story begins with a prospective client who approached us for a bid. They were eager to get their project off the ground, but their impatience led them down a risky path. Here's a breakdown of their journey:
- Multiple Bids and Revisions: The client requested bids, revisions, and more revisions. However, they failed to provide a deposit, leaving us uncertain about their commitment.
- Missed Calls: Amidst our busy schedule, we received a call from someone other than our primary contact. We didn't answer because the caller wasn't on our contact list—a common occurrence given the volume of calls we receive daily.
- Delayed Response: Two weeks later, we discovered a message from a secondary contact. We promptly returned the call, only to be asked to call back the next day. Unfortunately, our follow-up call went unanswered.
- The Website Surprise: Before reaching out to the client again, we revisited their website. To our surprise, they had replaced their old site (which we were initially asked to bid on redeveloping) with a new one built using the GoDaddy site builder.
The DIY Pitfalls
While the client may have saved money by building their own website, they inadvertently damaged their brand and lost valuable website traffic. Here are the issues we identified:
- Missing Logo: A professional website should prominently display the company logo. In this case, there was none.
- No Contact Information: A phone number or contact form is essential for potential clients to reach out. Unfortunately, the client's site lacked this basic information.
- 301 Redirects: When transitioning from an old website to a new one, proper 301 redirects ensure that existing traffic is seamlessly directed to the new site. The client missed this crucial step.
- Non-Functional Features: The "Request a Quote" feature didn't work, frustrating potential customers.
- ADA Compliance Issues: The site's readability suffered due to color contrast errors, potentially excluding users with visual impairments.
- Lack of SEO: Without proper search engine optimization (SEO), the client's site won't rank well in search results.
The Intrepid Network Approach
At Intrepid Network, we understand that redesigning a website involves more than slapping up a single page on the internet. Our process ensures success:
- Discovery: We meet with clients to identify their goals and discuss their business needs. We create a Statement of Work that outlines how we'll meet those needs within the budget and estimated launch date.
- Research: We evaluate competition and industry partners to gather insights for the design and development phase.
- Design & Development: Our iterative process involves multiple reviews, ensuring client approval before implementation.
- Launch & Promotion: We promote the project across various channels, including social media and select print publications.
- Data-Driven Analysis: Our reports provide critical data for marketing and continuous improvement.
- Brand Management: We maintain and enhance our client's online brand image.
Conclusion
In the digital age, investing in professional web development is crucial. Don't let impatience lead you down the DIY path—choose a reliable partner like Intrepid Network to create a website that truly represents your brand.
Remember, your website isn’t just a page on the internet; it’s your digital storefront. Make it count!