7 reasons a designer shouldn’t take responsibility for your site

Several years ago, I gave a small seminar on “So you want a website, what now?” which basically walked folks through what they should know before they hire someone to do their website.  Now, several years later, there are so many DIY options available and people still make the same mistakes – the attached article talks about 7 reasons your shouldn’t allow a designer to take responsibility for your site – and it is a really good article with great points.  I would add the following:

1. Really know what you want to accomplish with your website.  Make a list of what you expect the results to be, for example: I want my website to cause people to call me for an appointment, or I want my website to make people want to come back for more information, or I want people to buy my <insert product or service> when they visit my website.

2. Figure out how much time you, personally will be able to devote to the website.  Because if you don’t invest the time, to promote it, answer inquiries, update content, you may as well just save your money and don’t bother.

3. Don’t be afraid to try new things, change the look, alter the font, move things around… why do you think people rearrange their furniture?  They get bored or they are curious about how it will look if things changed up – your audience, if you are lucky enough to get one, will appreciate some changes from time to time…it will help them notice something they might have missed before…and help you retain interest in your site.

4. Get other people’s opinions and really listen to what they have to say…it may not be what you want to hear…but if they have suggestions, try them out. You never know where the next true gem will come from.

Good luck with your website!  Let us know how yours has gone or what you would have done differently in the comments!