Is Your Website on Steroids? (It better be – here’s why and how.)
Reading Time: 6 minutes 
It should be, or disappointment will be yours. Yes, your website is an inanimate object that many believe doesn’t require much work once set up. This is where the decisions you make and the features you implement, including maintaining your website, ensure it is “on steroids” to make things happen.
“on steroids”:
used to suggest a highly exaggerated, enhanced, or accelerated version of something.
By being on steroids, I’m saying that you need to outperform on every level. Otherwise, you won’t stand out as being anything different than what is already out there.
That is why today we will put things in perspective so that you can set the proper goals and priorities. From a real-world point of view. Only then can you understand the level of commitment required to succeed online. (Hint: It is more than you think.)
And, as I always do, I’ll include links to other articles for your further reading. First, say the next headline out loud…
You. Have. The. Power.
Your power comes from what you invest in (time and money), learn, and apply.
Unless you answered the above questions with a resounding “Yes!”, you are probably at a disadvantage. Those who do answer “Yes!” are going to kick your butt.
You need to be concerned about whether your website is being found, read, or taken seriously. This is where your stats and data come in, which you need to review constantly.
And you can count on the fact that most other website owners have the same concerns. So what exactly are you going to do about it?
The fallacy is that many anticipate that traffic, inquiries, and orders will pour in when they launch their website. Rarely is that the case.
Just being on WordPress isn’t the be-all and end-all, either. The same applies to any builder platform that makes it seem as though “build it and they will come” applies.
Don’t believe the hype; live in the world of reality.
Realistic Attitude from the Start
When I speak with site owners, it becomes clear that almost everyone cannot comprehend the magnitude of the online world and, therefore, their competition. If you think about it, back in the day, you only had to worry about the competing businesses in your town, city, county, or state.
If you did have to consider nationwide competition, you knew who the leading players were and responded accordingly. Now, thinking in terms of “local” is too narrow-minded (unless you have a brick-and-mortar), and “nationwide” could easily be in the hundreds of thousands — or even millions.
So, let’s cover some basic stats that will clarify what lies ahead. Ready? Let’s go!
Wrap your head around these stats…
1.1 Billion Websites in 2025
Think about it: This volume is why it is essential to be as “nichey” and unique as possible. “Me too” sites won’t cut it—you have to be different (or better) than what is already out there.
Do your keyword data mining and understand the level of competition for those terms. This effort will ensure that you understand what you are up against and what you will need to do so that online users who need/want your unique product/service will find you.
[READ: Free Keyword Research Tools and 10 Starter Marketing Tips for Your New WordPress Website ]
Facebook: 3 billion monthly active users in 2025.
Think about it: Now you know why having a Facebook page is worth the effort. How are your competitors engaging their customers on Facebook? You need to be as (if not more) active, as (if not more) creative, and as (if not more) engaging.
Your Facebook page isn’t the be-all and end-all, either. The fact is, some businesses don’t benefit from Facebook – but you won’t know until you test and see for yourself. Keep in mind, Facebook will throttle your exposure to encourage you to pay for advertising, so consider this cost in your budget as well.
(Oh yeah, Instagram has 2 billion users, and Pinterest has 518 million monthly users.)
[READ: Online Business Planning Made Easy and You Don’t Do Social Media, You ARE Social Media]
500 hours of videos are being uploaded to YouTube every minute.
Every. Single. Minute. And 2 billion people use YouTube every month, 30 million every day.
Think about it: If your competition successfully uses video, figure out a way to add videos to your marketing arsenal and set up your own YouTube channel.
[READ: Your WordPress Website and Inbound Marketing]
Almost 4 billion emails will be sent in 2025.
… and received per day. (Over 50% of email is spam!)
With so much spam, you must ensure you use a good email newsletter service to get your emails through. Also, ensure that you have SPF, DKIM, and DMARC set up on your domain’s DNS record. These settings vary based on your provider and help prevent your emails from landing in spam folders.
Whether it be a newsletter or your RSS feed update, your notices must consistently and professionally represent your brand. Then, you need to be sure that you send only worthwhile (worthwhile to your visitors, not just to you) emails—or you risk unsubscribers.
[READ: What is RSS, and what can I do about it? and Business Email Etiquette]
Top 5 Browsers:
Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera
Think about it: This is more of a reason to use Premium WordPress Themes, whose developers consider the top browsers in their design and CSS files. This is even more important for mobile responsiveness and speed/performance.
Premium themes keep up with trends and WordPress and security concerns. They are worth every extra penny and give you one less thing to worry about.
[READ: 5 Reasons to Choose Premium WordPress Themes and Choosing the Right WordPress Premium Theme]
Massivity vs. Marketing
Here are a few more questions you should have solid answers for.
These are just a few of the questions I get asked regularly. They are all very important core concerns, questions that, to be honest, you should have the answers to before you launch your website.
What I don’t get asked directly is what the difference is between sites that succeed and sites that just exist.
Yep, “Steroids”.
Nothing less than a determined work ethic, combined with the best WordPress site you can create, with the most aggressive marketing and social media participation, will do.
A Spec of Sand in the Desert
The above stats are just a few for your consideration regarding what your website will have to face and accomplish to stand out from all the noise online. Only knowing the above facts when starting a new site and putting in the necessary effort will enhance your chances of success.
Do you know why?
Because you’ll start from a point of reality, you’ll understand what you are up against. Because you have the power to be as successful as you want to be, you’ll embrace what you need to know, learn, and do.
You’ll also have a good idea of when to ask for help. We all need help from time to time. No one knows everything and can be the best at everything all the time.
That, my friends, will give you an edge over others who prefer to believe it is a “build it will come” environment because that’s easier. (Nothing is easy online.)
Reality check: complete.
At your service,
