Your Website is Live? Don’t Forget About Marketing Your Website!
Why Your Web Designer Isn’t Automatically Your Online or Social Media Marketing Manager
Have you ever built a website for a client and they automatically assumed the designer would handle marketing it too? You’re not alone! This is a common misconception, but it’s important to educate clients the different roles of web designers and marketers.
Imagine your website as a house. Web designers are the architects and builders, crafting a beautiful and functional space (the website itself). But just having a nice house isn’t enough if no one knows it exists. Marketers are the realtors who advertise the house, attracting potential buyers (website visitors) and convincing them of its value (driving traffic and engagement). So, web designers and developers typically aren’t automatically marketers:
And here’s why . . .
1. Marketing Website Are Different Skill Sets:
2. Time Constraints for Marketing a Website for Business:
Building a website takes time and attention to detail. Web designers focus on their core strengths to deliver high-quality work. By adding marketing tasks on top could diminish the quality of both the website and the marketing efforts.
3. Clear Communication is Key:
Sometimes, the lines between these roles can be blurry. It’s crucial that both the client and web designer understand this upfront which I haven’t done well. Do they offer additional marketing services, or will you need to hire a separate marketer? Those questions should be answered in the contract or agreement.
The Big Takeaway:
Most clients do not realize that having a website for their businesses is just the start. Everyone knows Walmart and Amazon! If those giant companies, and event Google, continuously promote themselves, your website needs its own marketing plan and budget; it’s not the primary function of your web designer or builder to promote your website. Marketing a website for your business requires a different strategy and separate budget from web design. Partnering with a skilled marketer can help you reach your target audience, drive traffic, and achieve your online goals.
