Sometimes it seems like everyone wants to build you a site using WordPress or some other "Open Source" solution, like Joomla or Drupal.  And while these are good for what they are, there are some drawbacks that must be considered when developing your site.

Let's look at the pros first, you don't have to pay for the basic software (it's free, right?).  Also, you can have the site hosted wherever you want, and supposedly the CMS (Content Management System) is easy to understand and update, so you can "do-it-yourself."  Most developers and designers like to work with WordPress (as long as they are the ones to build it) because of the 1000's of neat little plugins that are out there that can make the website do what you want it to do.

What about the cons?  Well, althought the basic software is free, you do have to pay someone to "dress up" the theme, or build you a home page that looks like a website and not a blog, so it's not really free.  Also, while hosting can be anywhere,.... it can be anywhere (with the 1000's of hosting companies, all are not equal, so sometimes you get a hosting company that can't support the traffic or gets hacked or is constantly down, etc.).  And if you can log into the backend of a WordPress or Drupal or Joomla site, unless you know what you are doing, you'll be lost.  It is not a place for amatuers, and there is a steep learning curve.  In other words, it's not set up for someone who knows nothing about computers and websites.  And all those neat little plugins... well they are produced by outside people, not WordPress; so the support if something isn't working right, or if WordPress updates it's software and the plugin is no longer compatible, you are out of luck and have to pay someone to fix it.

Hosted solutions offer something completely different, and designed specifically for people who have little or no knowledge of websites.  Most solutions, like Adobe's Business Catalyst, offer not only an easy to use website editor that anyone can use to update a website, but also other built in tools that can make operating a website easy.  The best thing, is that when Adobe updates it's software, every site built on that platform is automatically updated as well, and there are no "down" times when parts of the functionality of the site isn't working because of incompatibility.  Now you do have to host the site with the solution, but most hosted solutions are using top of the line technology and equipment, with plenty of space and speed to keep your site loading properly and little to no down time.  Most hosted solutions are SAAS models (Software as a Solution), which means you are leasing the software used to build and manage your site. 

What's the difference in cost?  Well, that depends.  Open Source solutions usually have a higher setup, or upfront cost, and then a lower basic monthly cost for hosting.  However, the constant updating that needs to be done, or if you have to find someone else to work on your site because the original developer can't be found with a warrant.... you can see that it can sometimes be much more expensive.  With hosted solutions like Business Catalyst or others, you'll have a lower upfront cost, and while the monthly cost may be initially higher (paying for the CMS and hosting and other options), if you look at the cost over a 2 year period, you'll find that you probably will pay the same if not more with your Open Source solution when you factor in the upgrades, changes and updates to your content, etc.

My advice when it comes to developing your website, is first decide what you want your website to do.  Don't build it just because everyone else has one.  Have a plan or "strategy" in mind, and design your site and develop it based on that plan.  Make your site work for you, driving qualified leads, selling more stuff, whatever you need.  Then look at a number of options, do you want video content, do you want a site that can be viewed easily on multiple devices, do you want people to be able to pay you via the site, do you want to offer appointment scheduling, or event planning, or any number of other options.

If you are thinking about updating or redesigning or creating a new website, give me a call or shoot me an email and let's talk about what you want to do and how best to do it.

Mike Nail
859-512-1140
info@strategyplusweb.com

I recently read a great artilce from Marketing Profs discussing the pros and cons of Responsive Websites vs. M.Dot sites for mobile. Here's the link if you want to read it first hand.

The idea to keep in mind, according to the article, was that while marketers and website developers are jumping on the "responsive website" idea (meaning that the website "responds" to the device viewing the site and adjusts/resizes content based on the device), there are some things to consider when deciding to go that route rather than a dedicated mobile site (usually indicated by m.website.com as the subpage).

One thing to consider is the user experience; i.e. what will keep a mobile or tablet user on your site, or what will drive them away from your site quickly.  It was pointed out that speed, beauty and relavance are the things that keep mobile and tablet visitors on a site.

So if the site loads slowly, or if the design isn't intuitive or if the content they are looking at isn't relevant to their needs, they will leave the site. 

Most responsive websites are designed first with a desktop or laptop in mind.  When the reponsive site is loaded, the entire content and page is loaded, and then resized to fit the device it's being viewed on.  With a dedicated m.com site, the developer/designer can put just the content needed, and speed up the load time.  When creating a responsive website, the content can be used by all devices and the updating of that content is easier because you only do it once, however the m.com site has to be done separately.

These are all thing to keep in mind when updating your website to include mobile, and while there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution; your developer/designer needs to keep the end product in mind.  What do you want your website to do?  And since it's necessary; now more then ever, to include mobile and tablet devices in your thinking about who is viewing your site, it's best to talk to someone who can help making the correct decision regarding your website. 

At Strategy Plus, we design and develop both responsive and dedicated sites for mobile/tablet viewing of websites.  Our goal is for your site to generate the leads and sales your company is looking for, so we will work with you to determine the best method to keep visitors on your site and to increase conversions of those vistors to qualified leads.  Let me help you with those decisions and

You've heard the news.  In today's marketing climate, everything is about the Return On Investment (ROI).  Yet most businesses look at their website and scratch their heads when asked about their ROI.  Unless, of course, you have an ecommerce site where you are selling online, it's difficult to measure what your return could be.

That's where some thinking comes in.  Your website, if done right, should be more than a simple brochure site, telling what you do and why people should choose you.  And it needs to be more than just a listing of items for sale and a quick "buy now" button.

What you need are calls to action, ways to collect information from website visitors, and a method for following up with those visitors who've expressed an interest.  It's a holistic approach, but one that has consistently worked.  Ask any digital "expert" and they'll tell you everything starts with your website.  If that is done right, then everything else (social media, email marketing, search engine results, digital marketing) falls into the right place and you see an increase in not only site visitors, but visitors who'll give you valuable data that you can use to follow up.

Take a look at your website.  Does it work for you?  Is the design at least a little bit appealing?  Do you have effective calls to action or ways people can give you information?  Do you check to see who has visited your site and what pages they visit?  Do you know where they came from, and where they went?  Do you have a method for reaching out to site visitors who are not ready for your product or service?

If any of those answers was no... then maybe it's time to fire your website and hire one that works for you.  We can help.  We have the tools and the know how to create a website that drives more leads to your business.  We can take the great design you have now, and make it better; or we can completely redesign your site for you.  If you want to help, please let us know by filling out a short form on our website and we will get with you shortly. 

Thanks,

Mike

Welcome to Strategy Plus, a consulting business based on giving businesses and non-profits results oriented marketing options in the digital age.  We've studied the tools, techniques and technology that help businesses succeed.  We've helped numerous local, regional and national companies and non-profits create winning strategies and implement those strategies.

While our name is new, our experience and knowledge is built on award winning work through various agencies and other entities.

We hope you'll find that by following us via social media and our monthly newsletter, you'll learn more about marketing in the digital age and perhaps pick up a trick or two that can help your business grow.  If you'd like to engage us professionally, we'd love an opportunity to learn more about your business and your goals and work to help you implement a digital marketing strategy that makes sense.

Our engagement philosophy is simple; Learn what you are all about and what your goals are.  Then we'll audit your digital marketing system; from your website and social media platforms, to your email marketing and online PR.  We'll help you find opportunities for change that make good business sense, and work with you to help make those changes happen. 

If you'd like to learn more, please contact us and we'll set up a time to talk and go over your concerns and see if there is a way to help.  In the meantime, feel free to come back and visit with us, or follow our social media for free guides and innovative insight into digital marketing.

Thank you,

Mike Nail