There are a lot of misconceptions about websites, so today I’m going to try to clear some of these up.

Misconception One: Having a website instantly gives me more business.

Having a web presence is super important. Most people don’t even know where their phonebook is right now, but Google is just a few keystrokes away. Having a spectacular looking site is great, but if you can’t search and find your own website, then how do you expect anybody else to find it?

This is what we in the industry call SEO or Search Engine Optimization. It’s optimizing your website so that search engines can find it. If you are unable to use Google to find your website, you might want to look into overhauling your SEO.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when creating your website or fixing it is “How would somebody looking for my services search on Google?”

If you sell turnips and live in Lansing Mich., then your customers would search “turnips Lansing” or something similar. If your turnip site says nothing about Lansing or Michigan anywhere on the site, when somebody is looking for your site, they either have to know your company name, or try to sift through the 5,070,000 results Google gives for turnips.

Recap: Look into increasing SEO, start by thinking like your cliental and how they search on Google. Make sure you also look at the analytics of your site to see how people are getting there.

Misconception Two: [Insert site here] is the best in my business. My site needs to look like theirs!

It is pretty easy in most cases to tell the difference between high-dollar, larger corporation websites, and a website of a small business. Naturally you want your site to be like the best in your industry. “Their site is great, their business is great, I just need their website.”

That mentality is fine, great even! It really helps the design process of a website by finding similar sites that you wish to idolize. Print off, or direct your web people to the site and let them take a look. Just remember, you are not going to copy a site exactly.

It’s important, however, not to stick with the idea that your site needs to look like the example that was set fourth. Most of the time your site isn’t your designer’s first rodeo. They know what it takes to make a good site and limiting them to a certain design may cause unneeded changes to be made and time wasted.

Recap: Idolizing other sites is fine, just don’t get too attached to it, let your designer design!

Misconception Three: If I have Facebook, I don’t need a website / If I have a website, I don’t need Facebook!

Facebook is a wonderful tool for businesses. Probably one of the best things about it is that it is free. I am going to tackle this issue from both sides, those with Facebook and those without.

I have a website, I don’t need Facebook!
Two quick things. First, Facebook gives you the opportunity to reach out to people using a medium they already use. Second, it’s free, so why not?

Why do you check news sites, or sport sites? Well, to check what’s new! The problem is, with most small businesses, there is not a real reason for people to constantly check the website, they just pull it up when they are in need of the same services again. That’s what Facebook does for you: It gives you a place to constantly update people who have used, or are in need of your services.

With Facebook, you do run into the dilemma of keeping it updated as much as you can. Try to post as much interesting and relevant content as you can as often as you can. Letting your ‘likers’ in on some exclusive deals, giveaways or contests really helps drive interest to your Facebook, and ultimately, to your business. You can set it up so several people can be an administrator and post on your page, so feel free to get some family – or better yet an agency like M3 – in on helping with the Facebook Page.

I have a Facebook, I don’t need a website.
Having hundreds of “likes” on Facebook is great! But where do you send them for constant information? Facebook is pretty bland as far as design is concerned, and there isn’t much space for your own, unique content. You might be able to fit business hours and a phone number on the information page, but that isn’t enough.

You need a website to A: Go in depth about your services, and direct Facebook users to your site instead of forcing them to call you to find out more. B: To be found anywhere that is not Facebook. Sure people can use the search box on Facebook to find your page, but what about Google? How do you talk to somebody and direct them to your site by mouth? What about people without Facebook?

Also, because you don’t have an actual website, you don’t have your own URL, which gives the illusion that you may not be legitimate to outsiders.

Recap: They both have their perks, but you need a website and Facebook.