Web Designers Are Not Marketers

Relief. That is what I felt when I found this article. How many times do clients push their web designer to help them create a money generating website. Web designers are not necessarily marketers, but online marketers can easily be web designers, of course with the right set of employees.

When looking to build a new website, many business owners mistakenly think that a gorgeous new site is the answer. While aesthetically pleasing design is certainly important, it is only one component of a good overall online strategy.

You must first establish who your target is, and then what you want them to do. In other words, who is my demographic, and what business problem am I solving. Your fantastic new site may be pretty, but if it doesn’t address these two questions first and foremost, you have just wasted your money.

It is therefore crucial that you work with your designer to establish design guidelines that answer these questions. If your web design company isn’t experienced with basic marketing principles, you need to call in help. If you don’t have a marketing department, bring in a consultant to work with you and your designer on the project.

Second, a house is just a building, but a home is full of things and people. An effective website looks nice and works well, but more importantly it has great content. The content, the pure words on your site, is what provides value to current and potential customers. The content on your site establishes a tone that should also be reflected in the design, and not vice versa.

There are many great web designers out there without a clue in terms of marketing. That’s not necessarily a reason not to work with them, though. If their eye for aesthetics and good, usable design is what you want, but they don’t a clue how to market your product, bring in reinforcements early in the process. You and your designer will be glad you did.

Source:  http://www.xemion.com/guide/web-designers-are-not-necessarily-marketers/