What Every Business Owner Should Know About Websites and Online Marketing (So You Don't Get Taken Advantage Of!)
In today’s digital world, having a website and an online presence is essential for almost any business. However, if you’re not familiar with the technology, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or, worse, fall into the trap of unnecessary expenses. Let’s cover the basics to help you understand what you really need to manage your brand’s trust online.
1. You Don't Need Every Feature Under the Sun
Many salespeople might try to convince you to buy all sorts of fancy features for your website, but the reality is, you only need the essentials:
A clean, mobile-optimized design to make sure your site looks good on phones.
Clear contact information so customers can reach you easily.
Basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to help people find your site on Google.
Extras like advanced animations or unnecessary plugins can slow your site down and aren’t always needed.
2. SEO: The Basics Matter Most
Search Engine Optimization can sound like a scary, complex world, but for most small businesses, focusing on the basics is enough:
On-page SEO (making sure your content is optimized for your audience and keywords)
Local SEO (getting your business listed correctly on Google Maps and other directories)
Avoid salespeople who try to sell you high-priced SEO services that promise instant results — SEO is a long-term game.
3. You Don’t Always Need to Spend Big on Paid Ads
Yes, paid online advertising (Google Ads, Facebook Ads, etc.) can drive traffic, but it isn’t always necessary for every business. Consider:
Organic reach first: Focus on creating good content and engaging with your audience on social media.
Targeted campaigns: If you do want to invest in ads, make sure the ads are specifically targeted to your audience, not just broad, expensive campaigns.
4. Regular Maintenance is Key
A website isn’t a "set it and forget it" tool. It needs to be updated regularly for:
Security: Ensure the site is protected against hacks.
Speed: Keep the site running fast by updating your plugins and content.
Content updates: Adding new information keeps your site relevant and helps SEO.
Beware of services that charge high fees for maintenance unless it’s truly comprehensive.
5. Understand Your Analytics
You don’t need to be an expert, but you should know how your site is performing. Tools like Google Analytics can show you:
How much traffic your site is getting.
Where that traffic is coming from (search engines, social media, etc.).
What pages people visit the most.
The digital world can be intimidating, but having a solid understanding of the basics will help you spot when someone is trying to sell you something you don’t need. If something doesn’t sound right, don’t hesitate to ask questions or get a second opinion.
