Tweet

The State of Websites: Why You Shouldn’t Always Listen to Your Designer

Guest post by: Lisa Manyon

Article Overview: Have you compromised the flow of your website because of bad advice from a designer?

The State of Websites: Why You Shouldn’t Always Listen to Your Designer

Shock is the only way to describe a conversation I recently had with a colleague. She had just invested a pretty penny (well, more like thousands of dollars to have a website created). Of course she was elated to finally have birthed the baby - so to speak.

When she asked me to take a peek, I immediately saw one BIG GLARING ISSUE.

The call to action was below the fold (meaning anyone who visits the site would have to search and click around to find her "free" taste).

So, I asked a few questions about strategy and what she ultimately wants to accomplish with her site and explained that "you'll lose the gold if it's below the fold" which translates to your "free taste" needs to be readily available and visible when people visit your site or you'll lose interest and possibly sales (eye tracking studies support this). She responded by saying her web designer said that couldn't be done design-wise because it would interfere with design integrity. WTH?

While I believe in good design, I also know for a fact that designers can incorporate what you need in your site to make it really work and they should regardless of their beliefs about "design integrity". The bottom line is that you pay for your designer to deliver a design that is not only eye catching but also supports the main function of your site which should be to symbiotically build relationships and create a money engine for your business.

You know your strategy and what you ultimately want your site to do and the bottom line is it should be working for you to develop relationships and increase your bottom line.

To recap:

• My friend spent thousands of dollars on a site that is supposed to build relationships and generate sales.
• Even though she told her designer this was her strategy she was met w/resistance.
• So she settled for web flow that is not as effective as it could be because, in my opinion, the designer was overprotective of his/her design work and didn't understand the strategy to create an online relationship building tool/money engine.

This in my opinion is a travesty.

You should get what you pay for and that means your designer should respect your requests. It can be done. I've seen it.

My rockin' web designer at Seattle Design Group can make it happen. There are many other competent designer out there who will deliver what you need to create an effective online structure that support your business goals.

Are you clear on your website strategy?

Have you compromised the flow of your website because of bad advice from a designer?

Related Articles
  How to get exactly the website you need
  How to Spot a Good Web Designer?
  Pick the Right Web Designer in 4 Easy Steps
  Role of Graphic Design in a Website
  Use Flash With a Caution
  Common Mistakes by Graphic Designers in Web Design
  Choose right Web Designer for your website
  Does Your Web Design Contract Include These 5 Crucial Items?
  Slews in vogue of website designing
  Speaking of Design: How to Spend $50,000
  Graphic designing vs. Web designing
  The Importance of a Logo Design for a Company
  Website Design for your Customers - It's not what you want
  Dos and Don’ts for a Novice Web Designer
  Business and Graphic Design – Is There Anything in Common?
  Advantages of a Professionally Designed Website
  Website Design for your Customers
  Style over content!
  4 Steps to Choosing the Right Web Designer for Your Business
  Finding and Hiring the Best Web Design Services

Article Tags: call to action, web strategy, website, website designer



Related Forum Posts
Re: Did you reach your goal this year? - Turns out there's 5 meeting locations for Toastmasters International in State College alone... only 30 minutes from my town. Most likely due to Penn State University, but surprising nonetheless that I have never heard of the organization before. I'll have to look more into it as it sounds like something I could benefit from.
Re: What inspires you? - Inspiration is nothing it is what you called to do? Some work for money, some work for satisfaction, some work because they have priorities in life. It is the passion to do something for achievement or to show that you can do it by using one's talent. I know there are people who are doing great things with their limited skill sets. So, my view point about inspiration is to Dream Big and try to achieve it. I would rather add "Listen to your self". Listen to Inner guide and follow it. You will reach great heights. Robert
Re: Did you reach your goal this year? - [quote="Alan Mater":35bhlot8]Turns out there's 5 meeting locations for Toastmasters International in State College alone... only 30 minutes from my town. Most likely due to Penn State University, but surprising nonetheless that I have never heard of the organization before. I'll have to look more into it as it sounds like something I could benefit from.[/quote:35bhlot8] There are lot of things we never heard of before until someone tells us. This is why I like this forum, the information we get here are priceless
Re: What inspires you? - [quote="KH_Global":2o5p0kh7]Inspiration is nothing it is what you called to do? Some work for money, some work for satisfaction, some work because they have priorities in life. It is the passion to do something for achievement or to show that you can do it by using one's talent. I know there are people who are doing great things with their limited skill sets. So, my view point about inspiration is to Dream Big and try to achieve it. I would rather add "Listen to your self". Listen to Inner guide and follow it. You will reach great heights. Robert[/quote:2o5p0kh7] so true
Re: Did you reach your goal this year? - [quote="ideasuniversity":1oo0mnde][quote="Alan Mater":1oo0mnde]Turns out there's 5 meeting locations for Toastmasters International in State College alone... only 30 minutes from my town. Most likely due to Penn State University, but surprising nonetheless that I have never heard of the organization before. I'll have to look more into it as it sounds like something I could benefit from.[/quote:1oo0mnde] There are lot of things we never heard of before until someone tells us. This is why I like this forum, the information we get here are priceless[/quote:1oo0mnde] Agreed! As GT pointed out, forums in general are great for learning and finding out new things that we never would have known otherwise. I've learned so much here in the past year, and I look forward to what this year will bring.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Leadership-A Daily Gift

Why SEO is important for your online success

What To Do With a Troublemaker?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.