When Digital Becomes a Barrier: Why Vital Services Still Need a Human Alternative

Technology is supposed to make life easier. Quite often, it does.

Apps let us manage bank accounts without visiting a branch, or when we aren't near a branch. 

QR codes can take us instantly to menus, information and payment pages. 

Online portals allow appointments to be booked at any hour, while automated chatbots can deal with straightforward enquiries without leaving people sitting in a telephone queue for hour after hour. Taxis can be booked in seconds.

But there is an increasingly important question we need to ask: what happens to people who simply cannot cope with all this technology?

There is a danger that, in the understandable rush towards digital services, organisations are confusing digital convenience with universal accessibility.

They aren't the same thing.

Not Everyone Can Simply "Go Online"

We've probably all encountered instructions such as:

"Scan the QR code."

"Download our app."

"Use our online portal."

"Speak to our virtual assistant."

For somebody comfortable with smartphones and computers, that's usually straightforward.

For others, it can represent an almost impenetrable barrier.

Some people suffer from technophobia, a genuine fear or severe anxiety surrounding the use of technology. 

Others may have learning difficulties, cognitive impairments, poor eyesight, problems with manual dexterity or conditions affecting memory and concentration.

There are also people who simply haven't developed the digital skills many organisations now assume everyone possesses.

Age can sometimes be a factor, but we should be careful about assuming this is exclusively an issue affecting older people. 

There are younger people who struggle with technology too, just as there are people in their 80s and 90s who happily use smartphones, tablets and computers.

Poverty matters as well.

"Use our app" assumes somebody owns a compatible smartphone, has sufficient storage space to install another application and can afford a reliable mobile data connection.

"Visit our website" assumes internet access.

"Scan this QR code" assumes somebody knows what a QR code is and has a device capable of using it.

Those are considerable assumptions when access to healthcare, banking, utilities, transport, housing, government services or other essentials may be at stake.

Chatbots Aren't Always the Answer

Automated systems present another problem.

A well-designed chatbot can be useful for simple questions. But anyone who has spent ten frustrating minutes repeatedly explaining something to a bot only to receive irrelevant answers will understand their limitations.

Some areas of the UK be they heavily built up urban areas or rural areas simply do not have mobile digital access for a variety of reasons. 

Sometimes people need to speak to another person.

That's particularly important when somebody has an unusual problem which doesn't conveniently fit into the options anticipated by the software developer.

"Computer says no" was once a comedy catchphrase. Increasingly, it can feel uncomfortably close to reality.

Digital First Mustn't Mean Digital Only

None of this means we should abandon technological progress.

Far from it.

Apps, websites, QR codes, artificial intelligence and automated systems can make organisations more efficient and services dramatically more convenient. For millions of people, they are the preferred way of doing things.

The problem begins when the alternative disappears.

Organisations providing essential or important services should maintain reasonable non-digital options. That might mean a telephone number answered by a person, a staffed counter, paper documentation or simply an employee who can help somebody through the process.

And those alternatives shouldn't be deliberately made difficult to find in an attempt to force customers online.

There's an important principle here.

Good technology gives people more ways of accessing a service. Bad implementation uses technology to take choices away.

Digital transformation shouldn't mean leaving behind those who cannot transform with it.

Perhaps the real test of technological progress isn't how sophisticated our apps, bots and online systems become.

It's whether the services behind them remain accessible to everyone.

The Website From Hell: Is Your Online Shop Driving Customers Away?

There are few things more frustrating for a customer than knowing exactly what they want to buy, having their debit or credit card ready, and discovering that the company apparently doesn't want to take their money.

My wife and I recently experienced what I can only describe as the website from hell.

We needed a replacement part for a piece of domestic equipment. Generic versions were readily available online, and we could probably have ordered one within minutes.

But we decided to do the sensible thing. We'd go directly to the internationally recognised manufacturer, buy the genuine replacement part and have the reassurance that we were getting exactly the right item.

How difficult could that possibly be?

The answer was: over an hour of astonishingly unnecessary difficulty.

Welcome Back to the 1990s

The manufacturer's official retail website looked and behaved as though it had been designed during the early days of the World Wide Web and subsequently forgotten about.

Finding the correct replacement part became an exercise in detective work.

There were no obvious part numbers to help identify what we needed. Even more remarkably, many of the replacement parts didn't have photographs.

This is 2026. Almost every member of staff presumably has a perfectly serviceable camera in their pocket in the form of a smartphone. Surely somebody could spend an afternoon photographing the spare parts?

Instead, customers are apparently expected to look at vague descriptions and hope for the best.

Was this the part we needed?

Possibly.

Did it look like the existing part?

Who knows? There wasn't a photograph.

And Then the Website Threw Me Out

As frustrating as identifying the part was, things became considerably worse.

The website repeatedly threw me out of the search process, forcing me to go back and begin again.

And again.

And again.

I estimate that I had to restart my search at least ten times.

At this point, buying the generic replacement elsewhere was beginning to look extremely attractive. But stubbornness had taken over. I was determined to discover whether it was actually possible to give this company my money.

Eventually, somehow, I reached the checkout.

Surely the nightmare was nearly over?

Not quite.

Apparently I Don't Live at My Own Address

The checkout system decided that I didn't live at my address.

I do.

I've lived there for quite some time.

Nevertheless, the website and I had a fundamental disagreement about the matter.

Then it refused to recognise my telephone number as a valid telephone number.

So, after spending more than an hour trying to purchase a replacement part directly from the manufacturer, I found myself battling an online checkout seemingly determined to prevent the transaction from taking place.

I won't name the company. It is an internationally recognised brand and, frankly, I'll spare its blushes.

But the experience raises a serious business question.

CEOs: When Did You Last Try to Buy Something From Your Own Website?

If you're a managing director, CEO or senior executive of a company selling products online, here's a simple challenge.

Go onto your website as an ordinary customer and try to buy something.

Don't ask the IT department whether the website works.

Don't rely solely on conversion statistics, reports or dashboards.

Actually sit down and use it. Or better yet, get several friends and relatives do also do this.

Search for a product. Find the information you need. Add it to your basket. Enter your address and telephone number. Get all the way to the point where a genuine customer would pay.

You might be surprised by what you discover.

Every unnecessary click, broken search, missing photograph, incomprehensible product description and rejected address is another opportunity for a customer to say: "Forget it."

And unlike us, many of them will.

They'll open another browser tab, visit a competitor and spend their money there.

Your Homegrown System Isn't Sacred

There's sometimes a temptation for businesses to persist with ageing, homegrown e-commerce systems because they've invested years developing them.

But that investment doesn't make a bad customer experience good.

If your online retail operation has evolved into a Byzantine nightmare that only your own staff understand, perhaps it's time to ask whether you really need to keep reinventing the wheel.

Platforms such as Shopify and other established e-commerce providers exist precisely because creating reliable product catalogues, searches, baskets, checkouts and payment systems is difficult.

That doesn't necessarily mean every business should immediately abandon its bespoke platform. It does mean companies should be prepared to question whether their existing technology is actually serving their customers.

Because there's an important point here.

We wanted to buy the company's product.

The marketing had already worked. Brand recognition had worked. Customer loyalty had worked. We had deliberately rejected cheaper generic alternatives because we wanted the manufacturer's genuine replacement.

The company had effectively won the sale.

Then its website did everything it could to lose it.

That's not merely a website problem.

That's a business problem.

And before you ask, yes, writing this post was cathartic!

If Your Website Doesn’t Work, Why Should I Hire Your Services? And other reasons why you won't get my business

In today’s digital age, your website is essentially the online face of your business. 

It’s often the first impression potential customers have of your company, and we all know how powerful first impressions can be. 

If I land on your website and it’s not working correctly, you’re already losing me—and countless others. If you can’t get your own site to function properly, how can I trust you to deliver quality services to me?

So, let’s get straight to the point: if your website doesn’t work, here’s why you won’t get my business, and why others may feel the same.

1. A Dysfunctional Website Reflects Poorly on Your Brand

Your website should be a showcase of your expertise, professionalism, and commitment to quality. If I’m greeted with broken links, slow loading times, a whirling wheel of death, or outdated content, it raises a serious red flag. How can I trust your services if you haven’t put in the effort to make your own website work smoothly? It’s akin to a restaurant with dirty tables. You simply don’t want to eat there.

The takeaway: If you’re claiming to be an expert in your field, but your digital presence is riddled with flaws, it suggests a lack of attention to detail and dedication. If you’re not investing time in your own business, why would I trust you with mine? Clue: If you have a 'request a quotation' link on your site and it doesn't work, how do you expect people to ask you for a quotation for work? 

2. Your Website Is Your Business Card

Think of your website as a digital business card that’s accessible to everyone, 24/7. It’s not just about having a pretty design; functionality is crucial. If I can’t easily navigate your site, find the information I’m looking for, or get in touch with you, I’m moving on. And I’m not alone. Research suggests that users form an opinion about your website in less than 50 milliseconds—that’s how fast you can lose a potential client.

The takeaway: A poorly functioning website tells me you’re either not serious about your business or not capable of handling mine. In an era where the competition is just a click away, you simply can’t afford to have a website that’s anything less than stellar.

3. Trust and Credibility Go Hand in Hand with User Experience

We live in a world where trust is paramount. If your website is cluttered, disorganised, or full of technical glitches, it can make visitors question your legitimacy. 

A trustworthy business ensures their digital storefront is polished, professional, and easy to use. I’m more likely to trust a company with a clean, intuitive website than one where I’m greeted with 404 errors or endless buffering.

The takeaway: A bad website experience equals lost trust. And once trust is broken, it’s hard to win it back.

4. You’re Wasting My Time—And I Won’t Waste Any More of It

Time is precious, and no one wants to waste it navigating a clunky website or waiting for it to load. If your site is painfully slow or I can’t figure out how to find basic information, I’m already mentally checking out. The digital world is fast-paced, and I don’t have time to wait around to see if your service is worth it. I’d rather find another provider who values my time. ("Well, that's five minutes of my life I'll never get back!" and "Time is money!" are two apposite expressions, here.) 

The takeaway: Respect your customers’ time by ensuring your website works seamlessly. A fast, functional site is the first step in convincing me that you can deliver on your promises.

5. Your Competitors Are Just a Click Away

The online marketplace is fiercely competitive. If your website fails to engage me, I can quickly find another business that will. A poorly maintained site sends the message that you’re not keeping up with the times, which makes me wonder what else you’re falling behind on.

The takeaway: Don’t give your competitors the advantage. A well-maintained, user-friendly website is your first line of defence in attracting and retaining customers.

6. Customer Service Starts Before We Even Speak

Your website is often the first touchpoint in your customer service journey. If that initial experience is frustrating or unwelcoming, it’s unlikely that I’ll reach out to learn more. I want to feel confident that if I choose to work with you, I’m going to receive prompt, professional service.

The takeaway: Think of your website as your customer service representative. If that “employee” is confused, unhelpful, or non-responsive, why would I trust the rest of your team?

Other Reasons You Won’t Get My Business

Beyond the website issues, there are a few other reasons why I—and others—might decide to take our business elsewhere.

7. Lack of Transparency

If I can’t easily find information about your services, pricing, or even basic contact details, it’s a red flag. I don’t want to jump through hoops to figure out what you’re offering. The more you hide, the less likely I am to trust you. And whilst protecting your website from being copied is sensible from an anally retentive security point of view if this means that people like me can't click on the phone number on your site to autodial your company and we can't copy and paste your email address into our email system, simply put...why would we bother struggling to find out how to contact you to give you our business?

8. Overcomplicated Processes

If working with you feels like navigating a maze, I’m out. I want to know that once I decide to engage with your services, everything will be straightforward and efficient. A cumbersome booking process or difficult communication channels will drive me away.

9. Inconsistent Branding

A website that looks like it was pieced together without any clear brand identity is off-putting. Consistency in your visuals, messaging, and tone shows me that you have a cohesive brand vision. If your site feels like a chaotic patchwork, it signals a lack of cohesion that might reflect in your services too.

10. Ignoring Feedback

If customers have left feedback pointing out issues on your website or with your service, and those issues are still there, it shows you’re not listening. In a world where reputation is everything, ignoring your customers is a surefire way to lose them.

In Conclusion

Your website is more than just a digital brochure; it’s an extension of your business ethos and values. If your website is outdated, confusing, or broken, you’re not just losing potential customers—you’re actively driving them away.

In a world where options are endless and attention spans are short, your website needs to work flawlessly to make sure you’re the first—and only—choice. Invest in your online presence and show your customers that you value their time, trust, and business.

So, if your website doesn’t work, don’t expect me to work with you. After all, if you can’t take care of your own digital house, why would I trust you to take care of mine?

The genesis of this story: I'd been tasked to obtain quotes for several lucrative contracts for a business I work for. And I noticed several of the above problems with websites of potential business partners. And I decided to do some research and this is what I found.

Unleashing the Power of Monetisation: A Comprehensive Guide for Your Blog or Website

In the vast digital landscape, creating a successful blog or website is an accomplishment in itself. 

However, the journey doesn't end there. Many creators aspire to turn their passion projects into sustainable sources of income. 

Monetising your blog or website requires a strategic approach and a blend of various revenue streams. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore effective ways to unlock the full potential of your online platform.

Understand Your Audience:

Before diving into monetisation strategies, it's crucial to understand your audience. What are their interests? What problems are they trying to solve? By grasping their needs, you can tailor your monetization efforts to align with their preferences, ensuring a more successful outcome.

Quality Content is Key:

Content is the backbone of any blog or website. High-quality, engaging, and valuable content keeps visitors coming back and attracts new audiences. Search engines also favor quality content, helping to improve your site's visibility. This, in turn, sets the stage for effective monetisation.

Leverage Affiliate Marketing:

Affiliate marketing is a powerful way to generate income. Partner with companies or brands relevant to your niche and promote their products or services. Earn a commission for every sale made through your unique affiliate link. Authenticity is key, only endorse products or services you genuinely believe in.

Display Advertising:

Implementing display ads on your website can provide a steady stream of income. Platforms like Google AdSense allow you to display ads on your site, and you earn money whenever visitors click on or view these ads. Optimise ad placements for better visibility without compromising the user experience.

Create and Sell Your Own Products:

Capitalise on your expertise and create digital or physical products. E-books, online courses, merchandise, or exclusive content can be lucrative offerings. Your dedicated audience is likely to support products created by someone they trust and admire.

Membership and Subscription Models:

Offer premium content or exclusive perks through a membership or subscription model. Platforms like Patreon allow creators to connect with their audience on a deeper level and provide additional value to paying members.

Sponsored Content:

Partner with brands for sponsored content opportunities. This could include writing blog posts, creating videos, or incorporating sponsored mentions in your content. Ensure that the sponsored content aligns with your brand and is relevant to your audience.

Implement E-commerce:

If applicable, consider turning your website into an e-commerce platform. Sell physical or digital products directly to your audience. Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce make it easy to set up an online store seamlessly integrated with your website.

Optimise for SEO:

Improve your website's search engine optimization (SEO) to increase organic traffic. Higher traffic volumes can result in more opportunities for monetisation. Research relevant keywords, optimise meta tags, and create compelling meta descriptions to enhance your site's visibility.

Engage with Your Community:

Foster a sense of community around your blog or website. Engage with your audience through comments, social media, and other channels. A strong community is more likely to support your monetisation efforts and contribute to your success.

Monetising your blog or website requires a combination of creativity, strategy, and dedication. By understanding your audience, consistently delivering quality content, and exploring diverse revenue streams, you can transform your passion project into a sustainable source of income. Keep experimenting, stay authentic, and adapt your approach to the ever-evolving digital landscape. The journey to monetisation is unique for every creator, so embrace the process and enjoy the rewards of your hard work.

(Image courtesy of 200 Degrees from Pixabay)

SEO Basics for Small Business Websites: Boost Your Online Presence

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for the success of any small business. 

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a fundamental aspect of achieving this, as it helps your website rank higher in search engine results, driving organic traffic and potential customers to your site. In this blog post, we'll explore the SEO basics that every small business owner should know to improve their website's visibility and attract more visitors.

Keyword Research

Keywords are the foundation of SEO. Begin by identifying the keywords and phrases that potential customers might use to find products or services related to your business. Tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, and Ahrefs can help you discover relevant keywords with decent search volume and low competition. These keywords will be the basis for your content and optimisation efforts.

On-Page SEO

On-page SEO involves optimising the content and elements within your web pages. Here are some key elements to focus on:

a. Title Tags: Craft compelling, keyword-rich titles for each page, as they are the first thing users see in search results.

b. Meta Descriptions: Write engaging meta descriptions that include keywords to encourage clicks from search results.

c. Header Tags: Use H1, H2, and H3 tags to structure your content, making it easier for search engines to understand.

d. Content: Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content that addresses the needs and questions of your target audience. Include relevant keywords naturally.

e. Image Alt Text: Optimise images with descriptive alt text to make them more accessible and improve your chances of appearing in image search results.

f. Internal Linking: Link to other relevant pages on your website to improve user navigation and enhance the overall user experience.

Off-Page SEO

Off-page SEO focuses on building your website's authority and reputation in the eyes of search engines. Key strategies include:

a. Backlinks: Acquire high-quality backlinks from reputable websites within your industry. Guest posting, content promotion, and influencer outreach can help in this regard.

b. Social Signals: Share your content on social media platforms to increase visibility and encourage social signals, which can positively impact SEO.

Local SEO

For small businesses targeting a local audience, local SEO is essential. It helps you appear in local search results and on services like Google Maps. Here are some tips for improving your local SEO:

a. Claim Your Google My Business Listing: Ensure that your business information is accurate, complete, and up-to-date on Google My Business.

b. Online Reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. Positive reviews can boost your local SEO efforts.

c. NAP Consistency: Ensure that your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online directories and listings.

Mobile Optimisation

In an era where mobile devices dominate online usage, having a mobile-responsive website is critical. Google also considers mobile-friendliness as a ranking factor. Ensure your website is fully optimised for mobile users to provide a better user experience and boost your SEO performance.

Website Speed

Site speed matters both for SEO and user experience. Slow-loading websites can negatively impact your rankings. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify and address speed-related issues on your site.

SEO is a continuous process that requires patience and ongoing effort. By understanding and implementing these SEO basics for your small business website, you can gradually improve your online visibility and attract more potential customers. Remember that SEO is not a one-time task but an ongoing strategy that can deliver long-term benefits to your business. So, get started today and watch your online presence and customer base grow!

(Image courtesy of CyberRabbit from Pixabay)

How to Create an Engaging Business Website

In today's digital age, having an engaging business website is absolutely essential for success. Your website is often the first point of contact between your brand and potential customers, making it a crucial component of your online presence. 

Creating an engaging business website can help you attract and retain customers, build trust, and showcase your products or services effectively. In this blog post, we will walk you through the steps to create an engaging business website that will leave a lasting impression on your visitors.

Define Your Purpose and Goals

Before you dive into the design and development process, it's essential to define your website's purpose and goals. What do you want to achieve with your website? Are you looking to showcase your products, provide information, generate leads, or sell products online? Your website's purpose will guide the design and content decisions you make.

Know Your Audience

Understanding your target audience is a key element of creating an engaging website. Take the time to research your audience's needs, preferences, and behaviours. Consider factors such as age, gender, location, and interests. Tailoring your website to your audience's preferences will make it more appealing and relevant to them.

Choose an Appropriate Domain Name

Your domain name is your online address, and it plays a significant role in your website's branding. Choose a domain name that is easy to remember, reflects your business, and is relevant to your industry. Make sure it's also easy to spell and type to avoid any potential confusion.

User-Friendly Navigation

Clear and intuitive navigation is vital for an engaging website. Visitors should be able to find the information they need quickly and easily. Organize your content into well-structured menus and use descriptive labels for navigation links. Consider using a search bar for larger websites to enhance user-friendliness.

Mobile Responsiveness

With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, having a mobile-responsive website is non-negotiable. Ensure that your website looks and functions well on various screen sizes. Responsive design adapts your website's layout and content to provide an optimal experience for mobile users.

High-Quality Content

Content is king when it comes to engaging your audience. Create high-quality, informative, and relevant content that addresses your visitors' needs and interests. This includes well-written text, eye-catching images, videos, and infographics. Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant.

Speed and Performance

A slow-loading website can drive visitors away. Optimize your website's performance by compressing images, using a content delivery network (CDN), and minimizing code. Fast-loading pages are not only user-friendly but also favoured by search engines, which can improve your search rankings.

Branding and Design

Your website's design should reflect your brand identity. Use consistent colours, fonts, and imagery to create a cohesive and memorable brand experience. Pay attention to the overall aesthetics of your website, as first impressions are critical.

Call to Action (CTA)

A successful business website encourages visitors to take action. Include clear and compelling calls to action throughout your site. Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, making a purchase, or filling out a contact form, well-placed CTAs guide visitors toward the actions you want them to take.

Test and Optimise

Regularly test your website to identify areas for improvement. Use tools like Google Analytics to gather data on visitor behaviour, such as page views, bounce rate, and conversion rates. With this data, you can make informed changes to enhance your website's performance and engagement.

In conclusion, creating an engaging business website is a multifaceted process that involves understanding your goals, audience, and the principles of good web design. By following these steps and continuously striving to improve your site, you can build a powerful online presence that captures the attention and trust of your visitors, ultimately driving business success. Remember, a well-designed and engaging website can be a valuable asset in today's digital landscape.

(Image courtesy of PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay)

Maximising Revenue: Why You Should Place Google Adverts on Your Blogs and Websites

Monetising your blog or website is a common goal for many content creators and website owners. One of the most popular and effective ways to generate revenue is by placing Google Adverts on your platform. 

In this blog post, we will explore the compelling reasons why you should consider integrating Google AdSense into your website or blog to increase your earnings and enhance the overall user experience.

Diverse Ad Formats

Google AdSense offers a variety of ad formats to choose from, including text ads, display ads, video ads, and native ads. This flexibility allows you to select the ad types that best match your website's design and content, ensuring a seamless integration that doesn't disrupt the user experience.

Contextual Targeting

Google Adverts use advanced algorithms to analyse your website's content and serve ads that are contextually relevant to your audience. This means the advertisements displayed are more likely to pique the interest of your visitors, resulting in higher click-through rates and increased earnings.

User-Friendly Setup

Integrating Google AdSense into your website is a straightforward process. Google provides detailed instructions and tools to help you get started, making it accessible even for beginners. You can customize the ad units to match your website's layout, ensuring a seamless blend between content and advertising.

Access to a Vast Advertiser Network

Google AdSense connects you to a massive network of advertisers who bid for ad space on your website. This competition often drives up the cost per click (CPC) and increases your revenue potential. By joining this network, you can attract high-quality ads from reputable brands.

Reliable Payment System

Google AdSense offers a reliable payment system, ensuring that you receive your earnings on time. You can choose from various payment methods, including direct bank transfers, checks, and wire transfers. Additionally, Google provides detailed reports and analytics, allowing you to track your earnings and gain insights into your audience's behaviour.

Potential for Passive Income

Once you set up Google AdSense on your website, it can become a significant source of passive income. As long as you continue producing valuable content and maintain your website's traffic, your earnings have the potential to grow steadily over time.

Enhanced User Experience

Google Adverts are designed to be non-intrusive and responsive to the user experience. This means they won't disrupt your readers or drive them away from your site. With the right placement and ad format, you can maintain a positive user experience while generating revenue.

Monetise Various Types of Content

Google AdSense allows you to monetise a wide range of content types, including blogs, forums, news websites, and video platforms like YouTube. This versatility makes it an ideal choice for content creators in various niches.

Google Adverts, powered by Google AdSense, offer numerous advantages for website owners and bloggers looking to monetize their platforms. With diverse ad formats, contextual targeting, and access to a vast advertiser network, Google AdSense provides an effective way to maximize your revenue potential. 

Moreover, the user-friendly setup, reliable payment system, and passive income potential make it an attractive option for those looking to generate income from their content. So, if you're considering monetising your blog or website, placing Google Adverts is a smart move that can benefit both you and your audience.

To find out more please visit https://adsense.google.com/start

(Image courtesy of Image by 200 Degrees from Pixabay and StockSnap from Pixabay)

How Much Does Website Design Cost? Marketing Quotes Explores Website Design Prices

With in excess of 20,000 website designers around the UK, finding the right one is hard, each one offering different website packages at different prices.

Marketing Quotes commented "There are two things that effect the cost of a website; one is the type of website needed and the other is the website design agency that is doing the work. We always advise arranging a meeting, as you never know from the designers website what they are really like, it could be a student working from home".

As most UK businesses are being careful at the moment with their marketing spend (due to the economic downturn), a good understanding is needed about the kind of websites there are available and what they should be paying for their website.

Marketing Quotes added "Website designers understand the costs involved however everyone else just does not know the costs involved with website design work, what websites are needed for their business or the kind of designer to choose."

Websites generally come in three different kinds:

1 Template Websites - Quite basic websites that only have a few pages. These can cost around £500 to get set up.
2 Brochure Websites - These are more professional looking sites and can include CMS systems (custom managed systems - that allow the owners to update and modify the content). These can cost around £2,000 to get set up.
3 Ecommerce Websites - These are websites that take payments online (such as online shops etc.) and can cost around £10,000 to get set up.

For any business considering getting a website set up, the first thing is to understand the different types of websites and choose the right one. For smaller businesses it is wise to either get a free website set up or a basic site designed (until funding allows for a more professional one); the danger is overstretching or paying to much for something basic.

Marketing Quotes added "One thing businesses forget is that website designers are privately owned companies that need to make profit (to pay for holiday's, houses, cars etc.) and that the price does not reflect the design. Two website designers could design the same website but offer website design prices that are thousands of pounds apart."

With so many website designers around the UK (from students working from home up to top website designers in London that work with global firms) selecting the right sized agency is important. If the business is quite small, then a designer that is also small and local should be good to talk to; if the business is global, then a design agency that has the experience of designing global sites is probably best to talk to.

Marketing Quotes has  put together a few website design tips that may be helpful for anyone considering getting a website designed and was unsure how to select the right designer:

1 Have a look at local designers, a meeting is always good to discuss plans and objectives.
2 Choose a designer that has designed similar sites for businesses in your industry.
3 Shop around, comparing prices is normal these days to ensure you do not over pay someone

A website is a businesses 'shop window' and does need to be given care and attention in order to project the best possible image of that business (whether it is well established or a startup).

FACTFILE:

Marketing Quotes is a marketing resource website helping UK businesses to find local marketing companies that have experience in their industry. The site covers all areas of marketing, from direct marketing services such as telemarketing, media and SEO services from PR agencies and business development and improvement.

Marketing Quotes is a free UK resource committed to helping companies save money and find cost effective marketing partners to help build and develop their companies.

For more information visit www.marketingquotes.co.uk

Customise Facebook for your visitors

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Like It Pages have developed an application which allows businesses to fully customise their Facebook pages.

Like It Pages is an online tool through which you can create and edit different tabs within your Facebook fan page in a similar way to a website. This application allows companies to add their services, products, case studies or offers in minutes and edit all the content as you please.

More than 90% of the small businesses who have a Facebook business page make 1 fundamental mistake - they direct their fans straight to their wall.

By doing so they fail to convert a big percentage of their visitors into fans and they also fail to tell their fans exactly what they do and therefore lose out on sales and enquiries.
By driving visitors to a dedicated landing page, giving them a clear reason or incentive to join their fan page,they can double their fan conversions.

Furthermore, by offering exclusive content to fans only and promoting services or products clearly on the page in addition to the wall, they will significantly increase enquiries or sales.

I know that coded professional page costs can run into hundreds if not thousands of pounds, well at LikeIt they have designed a portal which will allow engagement with customers and show the company in the best possible way at a fraction of that cost. With a starting rate of only £11.99 per month they can have a professional Facebook page which is every bit as good if not better than the competition (and in this current economic climate this is paramount).

It takes under 5 minutes to install a landing page but it will have a massive impact on the Facebook fan conversion rate.

LikeIt provides the perfect platform to not only promote products/services online through your Facebook page to new clients and it will also ensure returning “friends” will find your latest products/services and promotions.

Every major company and brand is now directing people to their Facebook page as they now realise that Facebook has provided the perfect way to interact with their customer base. LikeIt can offer the platform to do this easily and professionally.

Like It Pages is available FREE for a 14 DAY TRIAL. This allows businesses to see how easy the program is to use and how great Facebook pages can become.

LikeIt! is a product of Art Division, a team of highly professional and experienced programmers and marketers based in London. Starting life as a web design company 10 years ago they have honed this skill down to a fine art and can boast over 50,000 web pages, designed, developed and published for a long list of satisfied customers.

However, as a forward thinking business they recognise a website needs more than to just look good, and this is where the rest of their services, such as online marketing and SEO, have excelled further especially during the past 3 years.

For further information please contact Brian Huff at Like It Pages on 0845 0177525
or visit our  www.likeitpages.com
or Facebook page www.facebook.com/likeitpages

Does YOUR website cost you money?

Ineffective website compliance management puts significant revenue at risk

• Only 13% of large-company website owners confident that sites are error-free
• 87% admit to website errors including inconsistent branding, poor usability and accessibility compliance errors
• £1bn companies putting, on average, £180,000,000 in turnover at risk
• 71% rated their approach to web compliance as unsatisfactory

A survey of large-company website owners, published today by Magus, the world leader in enterprise website governance and compliance solutions, shows that the error rates on corporate websites are shockingly high. The survey also indicates that web editors see a sharp correlation between poor online customer experiences and company income.

The study, which surveyed over 200 UK website owners and senior digital decision makers in global companies in November 2011, highlights that the overwhelming majority of organisations are experiencing one or more of the critical errors outlined in the newly-published Magus ebook: Web quality #FAIL – The seven critical mistakes websites make (www.magus.co.uk/ebook), which explains how to avoid the most commonly-experienced website governance pitfalls.

Only 13% of web owners said they were confident that their websites were error-free. Major issues cited include inconsistent branding (55%), spelling mistakes (46%), poor usability (39%) and accessibility compliance errors (38%). In fact recent research conducted by Magus among large-company web owners revealed that an estimated 18% of their turnover could be at stake over the issue of poor online customer experiences. To put this in context, a company with a £1bn turnover and a 20% profit margin would be risking around £180,000,000 in lost turnover and £36,000,000 in profit. (These findings are corroborated by an earlier Tealeaf survey, conducted in June 2011, which estimated losses to be as high as 24%.)

The research highlighted the lack of effective governance systems and processes as the major factors affecting website performance. 32% said their company lacked a clear governance strategy and a massive 71% of respondents rated their approach to website quality assurance as unsatisfactory.

This overall dissatisfaction is not all that surprising given that almost three quarters of companies had yet to adopt an enterprise-class approach to website quality management. Surprisingly in this digital era, over a fifth of large companies (22%) rely on manual quality assurance processes to validate their web properties, 28.5% on disconnected toolsets (e.g. spellcheckers, link checkers and accessibility checkers), 23% on platform-specific functionality in their Content Management System (CMS), and 5% did not monitor their websites at all.

“The implications of this survey are clear,” commented Simon Lande, CEO at Magus. “Manual quality assurance processes and disconnected toolsets are simply inadequate to the demands of today’s distributed multi-editor environments, and are putting companies’ reputation and revenue at risk. Companies with global web operations need to complement their CMS with a process of enterprise-level quality and compliance monitoring and analysis that will help them get right to the heart of their web operations.

"This research shows that we’ve still got a long way to go before large companies all ‘get’ web compliance monitoring. Until this lesson is learned they will continue to put significant amounts of revenue and profit at risk.”

The Magus ebook can be downloaded here (www.magus.co.uk/ebook). It gives a full overview of the seven critical mistakes websites make, and how to avoid them.