In today’s digital age, establishing an online presence is crucial for any new business. Think of your online presence as your business’s digital footprint. It’s how potential customers find you, learn about your products or services, and engage with your brand. According to recent studies, over 80% of consumers research a business online before making a purchase, making a robust online presence more important than ever. The centerpiece of this presence is typically your website. Setting up a new website can seem daunting, but avoiding common mistakes can save you time, money, and headaches down the line.
We’ve seen many new business owners stumble as they navigate the online marketing landscape. While there are countless factors to consider, we’re focusing on key areas that have tripped up many of our clients. Here’s a rundown of the most frequent mistakes and how you can avoid them.
Choosing a Bad Domain Name
Your domain name is a critical part of your online identity. Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
- Length and Complexity: Long or complicated domain names are hard to remember and prone to typos. For example, choosing a domain name like “SmithandJohnsonConsultingServicesPteLtd.com” (used here only as an example) would be cumbersome and difficult to market. Unfortunately, we’ve had clients who picked similarly long and clumsy domain names, but we can’t mention them out of respect and privacy.
- Irrelevant or Overly Specific Names: You don’t need to include your entire business name, especially if it’s lengthy or includes terms like “Pte Ltd.”
- Ignoring TLD Options: While .com is popular, there are over 1,500 top-level domain (TLD) options. A shorter, more memorable domain might be available under a different TLD. Also, check out some of the interesting TLDs you probably didn’t know existed!
Tip: Aim for a short, memorable domain name that conveys what you do, and explore various TLD options to find the best fit. If you need help finding the right domain name, hit us up at WebSifu, and we’ll guide you through the process.
Checklist:
- Is the domain name short and easy to remember?
- Does it avoid unnecessary words or acronyms?
- Have you considered alternative TLDs?
Purchasing Hosting Services Before Your Website is Ready
One of the most common missteps we see is new business owners rushing to buy hosting services before their website is even close to ready. While it’s perfectly fine to secure your domain name early, committing to a hosting plan prematurely can lead to several issues:
- Wrong Plan Selection: You might end up with a hosting plan that doesn’t fit your website’s requirements. Maybe you need higher specs or a different operating system.
- Development Hurdles: Developers often prefer working on servers they are familiar with. If they have to use your pre-purchased server and encounter issues, it can slow down progress significantly.
- Pushy Sales Tactics: Many hosting companies try to push hosting service subscriptions right from the start merely to get more business from you. They don’t care what kind of website you need, leading you to possibly choose a plan that offers “everything unlimited.” However, this isn’t a safe bet as you also need to consider support availability, where many service providers fall short.
Wait until your website is fully developed and ready to launch before committing to a hosting plan. This way, you can choose a service that best meets your site’s needs. We have budget hosting plan and premium hosting plan that cover maintenance for your website too!
Action Steps:
- Secure your domain name early.
- Develop your website on a staging server.
- Choose a hosting plan that meets your site’s specific needs.
- Ensure the hosting provider has a reliable support system.
At WebSifu, we like to begin the process of developing the new website on our staging server, the same server which will eventually host your website. This way, we can ensure the website we build is 100% compatible and free of pre-launch hiccups. Since we are the ones who build the website and own the server, we can also provide the best support for the server!
Picking the Wrong Email Hosting Provider
Email is vital for business communication, so choosing the right hosting provider is essential:
- Shared Server Risks: If your email is hosted on the same server as your website, a server issue can take both offline simultaneously.
- Cloud Services: Consider reputable cloud email services like Google Workspace or Outlook 365, which offer robust performance and reliability.
Ensure your email hosting is on a separate server from your website to avoid simultaneous downtimes. At WebSifu, we offer a competitive cloud email service ideal for businesses needing multiple email accounts.
Action Steps:
- Research and choose a reliable email hosting provider.
- Ensure email services are on a separate server from your website.
- Consider cloud email solutions for added reliability.
Selecting the Wrong Developer
Hiring a developer can be tricky. Here are some pointers:
- Cheap Isn’t Always Better: While it’s tempting to go for the lowest bid, remember that you get what you pay for. Poor quality can lead to more expenses down the line.
- Check Past Work and Communication Skills: A good developer will have a solid portfolio and strong communication skills. Beware of those who say yes to everything without understanding your needs.
Tip: Start with a small project to evaluate a developer’s skills and reliability before committing to a larger job.
Action Steps:
- Review portfolios and past work of potential developers.
- Start with a small project to test their capabilities.
- Prioritize developers who communicate clearly and understand your needs.
Choosing the Wrong Platform
The platform you choose for your website can have long-term implications:
- DIY vs. Professional: DIY website builders can be good for startups, but they might not be scalable as your business grows.
- Widely Supported Platforms: Choosing a platform like WordPress ensures a large pool of developers can help maintain and update your site.
Tip: Opt for widely supported platforms to ensure you can find help easily if your initial developer is no longer available.
Action Steps:
- Determine if a DIY builder suits your long-term needs.
- Choose a platform with widespread developer support.
- Plan for future scalability and maintenance.
Case Study: Client Who Got Stuck with Website He Couldn’t Manage
One of our clients previously engaged another developer to build his website, and the developer chose to use Laravel. While Laravel is a powerful framework, it was an overkill for the client’s needs, which were simply to introduce the company, explain their services, and enable online bookings. Using a custom framework like Laravel made it difficult for another developer to take over and modify the website, turning it into a white elephant.
When we took over, we proposed rebuilding the website using WordPress. Fortunately, the client accepted our proposal. With WordPress, we were able to quickly churn out a user-friendly website that the client could easily manage themselves. The change not only saved time and costs but also empowered the client to update their content independently.
Over-Preparing
New business owners often fall into the trap of over-preparing:
- Unnecessary Services: Signing up for services like CRM software before you need them can lead to wasted resources. Remember, you can’t CRM if you don’t have customers to RM with!
- Action Over Preparation: Don’t get stuck in preparation mode. Engage with customers early to understand their needs and refine your offerings accordingly.
Tip: Focus on core activities that drive your business forward. Let customer feedback guide your additional service needs.
Action Steps:
- Identify core activities that need immediate attention.
- Engage with potential customers early to gather feedback.
- Gradually add services based on actual needs.
Enjoy the Journey
Starting a business is a thrilling adventure, but it takes time to see the fruits of your labor. By steering clear of these common pitfalls, you’re setting yourself up for a smoother journey. Remember, it’s not just about the destination but enjoying the process along the way.
Want to know more about getting people to discover your online presence? Give us a like, and we might just write an article on that next!
