Websites: You get what you pay for

So, what do they do? Typically it takes the form of hiring a friend or friend of a family member to get a website up for them. Sometimes instead of a friend, the new business owner will hire a low cost contractor off Craigslist or ELance. This route is understandably attractive. The cost is much less than hiring a professional and the appearance is that the person will take care of everything. The new business owner thinks they will give some direction and content and next thing they know their website is up.

Option 2 is sometimes for people to go the route of using Wix or a similar build it yourself service to create their website. Upside here is clear. Cost is minimal and the perception is given that you will have a "stunning professional" website.

Other potential paths include turning to GoDaddy and signing up for their email/hosting/website bundle. Again, low cost and the new business owner thinks they will have a great site with no work.

But, what is the reality?

Almost every single time we have encountered a business owner who had a friend or an online contractor build their website, the situation is the same. It goes something like "This guy was supposed to build me this great website but it's taking forever and most of the time I can't even get ahold of him and my site doesn't work/looks messed up/isn't finished and I can't find it on Google."

In fact, as I type this I know of two business owners in this exact position and another about to start down this path. I don't blame them. Their website isn't a high enough priority for their business.

The outcome of going with Wix, GoDaddy etc is also predictable. It usually ends up sounding like this: "I don't really know what I'm doing and customer service is basically no help at all." Then, if they do get a website somewhat completed at some point down the road when the "great deal" they got suddenly skyrockets in price each month, they are stuck. Why? Because with those sites you don't own the site. They do. If you don't want to pay whatever they want to charge you each month, your site is gone. And, sometimes, you don't even really own the domain. So, your online presence is held captive. What do you imagine that would do to your business?

In some cases, online presence is not critical to the success of a business. However, even then, it makes more of a difference than people think. And, with each passing year it's becoming more and more essential that your company's online presence be solid, effective and consistent.

For most businesses, new or old, how your company is presented on the web is vital to your success. Just because your core business isn't technology or digitally related doesn't mean your website isn't important. Investing in your website and continued online presence is one of the highest rate of return choices you can make. If you skimp on your website, you are short-circuiting your company.

Get a company (not an individual) who has a track record of successfully completing websites and demonstrating how they get results for their clients. Experience and resources matter. Your company's future should not be placed in shaky hands.