Unlike in the past, all the “get a website” commercials suggest that due to AI, you, as the site owner, only have to click here or there, and whallah! You have a brand new, profitable website.
Don’t believe it.
Regardless of how effortless an interface or platform, such as WordPress, may make setting up a website, there are still the basics, the staples, the business standards that only you can implement and must accomplish.
Here are my top 10 myths about a successful website and the realities behind them. These are the topics I find website owners fail to understand the importance of, thereby hindering their ROI opportunity.
So I’ll make it easy for you. Consider these points (and all the other articles on this site) before spending your hard-earned dollars on any company, service, or platform that states otherwise to ensure the best chance for success.
1. “Build it, and they will come.”
Myth: Simply launching your website is enough to attract visitors.
Myth: The rest of your site doesn’t matter if the homepage is attractive.
Reality: Every page on your site is essential. Visitors may never see your homepage. Many visitors will land on internal pages, blog posts, product pages, or service pages directly from search engines, so these must be equally engaging and optimized.
3. “More traffic equals more success.”
Myth: The more visitors, the more successful your website.
Reality: Quality over quantity matters. You need targeted traffic from people genuinely interested in your offerings, as they are more likely to convert. Traffic is worthless if visitors don’t convert to an action (contact you, buy a product, etc.) or click that back button because your website sucks.
4. “SEO is a one-time task.”
Myth: You only need to optimize your website for search engines once.
Reality: SEO is ongoing. I get it—SEO is not fun and is a lot of work. But it is a necessary evil. Search engine algorithms constantly evolve, and fresh content is favored. Regular updates and optimizations are required for consistent ranking.
5. “A beautiful design guarantees success.”
Myth: If your website looks great, it will perform well.
Reality: While a visually appealing site helps immensely and is a no-brainer, usability and functionality are just as important, if not more important. A beautiful site with poor navigation or slow load times will drive users away.
6. “Content alone will make it successful.”
Myth: Publishing great content is all you need for a thriving site.
Reality: Content is critical, but it needs to be relevant and backed by promotion strategies, SEO, and a well-thought-out content distribution plan to reach your intended audience.
Reality: Mobile usage is enormous. Search engines like Google prioritize mobile-friendly sites; without mobile optimization, you’ll miss out on significant traffic and engagement.
8. “Social media isn’t necessary for website success.”
Myth: Your site can succeed without a social media presence.
Reality: Social media amplifies reach, supports brand awareness, and drives targeted traffic. It also helps build a community around your brand (a great way to lock in long-term customers, by the way).
9. “More features equal a better site.”
Myth: Loading a site with tons of features makes it more attractive.
Reality: Too many features can clutter the user experience and slow down the site, leading to higher bounce rates. Simplicity and ease of navigation often yield better results.
10. “Only new websites need updates.”
Myth: Once your website is established, there’s no need for frequent updates.
Reality: Your website needs regular updates to stay relevant and perform optimally. This includes refreshing content, updating software, and keeping security measures current.
Reality = Success
Yes, believing the hype and taking the easy route is tempting. But you want to build a solid foundation for future success.
Understanding these myths and their realities can help guide your website development and maintenance, ensuring a more strategic approach to creating an effective and enduring online presence.
At your service,
P.S. Bookmark this website (Ctrl + D) to easily access the how-tos you’ll need when issues arise. 😉
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