Why are there so many crap websites?

[Smithco]

The worst thing you can do on any website is hide your phone number.

It depends on the site. I've hidden mine away a bit. My websites have the answers to the vast majority of questions right there. I dissuade phone calls - right above the phone number, we even implore them to read the site before calling up. People like to call up and ask the questions that are right there on the site in plain view. It takes up time. If they don't read the site, they don't read product descriptions either. These are the people who suck your time on the phone, and later return stuff.

It depends on whether you are chasing customers and want every potential lead you might be able to convert into a sale. Or, if you have enough customers, you try to filter out customers you don't want so you end up dealing with the type of people you do want to deal with. People who need attention on the phone increase the cost of the sale.

Here's an example: We get maybe 10 calls a day asking for directions. We don't do it - we send them back to the site. There is a "find us" page that has a Google map built in, downloadable directions you can print, extra info for sat nav users, everything you could want.

There's a clothes site called Hebtroco that tickles me. By their phone number it says "For emergencies, like if something is on fire" - and under it, it says "Leave a message on our voicemail if you want, but really, email is best." - I'm in that school of thought.

 

[DontAsk]

There's a clothes site called Hebtroco that tickles me. By their phone number it says "For emergencies, like if something is on fire" - and under it, it says "Leave a message on our voicemail if you want, but really, email is best." - I'm in that school of thought.

Me too.

 

[Smithco]

Have you read their site? It's hilarious. I love it! My kind of people. https://hebtro.co/contact-visit/

 

[rach_anastasia]

Speaking from experience, websites you build on places like WP tend to break for no apparent reason. They also do not format correctly or run slowly. My personal take is a website should be outsourced for £5-10k job or don't bother and build up your WOM or social media,

 

[AlanJ1]

Speaking from experience, websites you build on places like WP tend to break for no apparent reason. They also do not format correctly or run slowly. My personal take is a website should be outsourced for £5-10k job or don't bother and build up your WOM or social media,

What rubbish is this. How can you quote a number when you don't know what the requirement is.

Tell you what, build my site for 5-10k. I dare you.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

A website is just a tool, and like all tools no one tool fits all purposes, website designer's all consider their work to be the best and brag about their skills to get more work and can often criticise other peoples work as poor quality.

Fit for purpose is the only real test on how a website performs and how the potential customers find the site, be it by online searches or maybe a business card, Trade shows or similar

Sometimes a what appears to be a grotty little shop provides enough sales, and needs very little or no more new customers, others spend millions on marketing like say Burberry or LV in the handbag among other items

 

[fisicx]

Speaking from experience, websites you build on places like WP tend to break for no apparent reason. They also do not format correctly or run slowly.

No they don’t. They break or are slow because people fiddle with them.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Speaking from experience, websites you build on places like WP tend to break for no apparent reason. They also do not format correctly or run slowly. My personal take is a website should be outsourced for £5-10k job or don't bother and build up your WOM or social media,

You have highlighted a key issue.

The issue of people pitching in with price and platform before getting to grips with the basic but critical aspects of purpose, plan or potential outcomes.

 

[gf.nextboost]

I believe the key to developing an optimal website undoubtedly lies in the developer's expertise. It is essential to assess their reputation, previous work, and attention to detail.

In my case, I have worked as a developer and have also led multi-platform projects. From my experience, I believe the first step every web developer should take is conducting a "Requirements Analysis". During this phase, it is crucial to research the client’s brand, understand the objectives they wish to achieve, define the business model from the outset, and, of course, establish the process flow for the platform.

Once these aspects have been defined, the developer should propose a UI/UX design to present to the client. This design should include the colour scheme, modern and efficient styles, ensuring the outcome is both appealing and functional.

After the client approves the design, the developer can proceed to create the project, following the established guidelines and fulfilling the agreed objectives.

 

[fisicx]

Never ever begin with the design. Worst advice ever @gf.nextboost

Start with the content (words and images). Then develop the site structure. Add in navigation, calls to action and trustmarks.

The last thing to do is set out the design.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

In most cases the owner does not have a clue as to what he wants apart from a web site

The designer does not have a full understanding of the customers planned business and the market slot for that business

The result is a poor made site that eventually has so many adaptations the whole site is unfit for purpose

This is especially relevant to new businesses where the owner has a idea, but little or no knowledge of the business or the capabilities of associated needs

Think a simple site of old a basic selling site, with a hundred or so products to sell, the start up costs are using most of the available monetery startup input, . they have to buy accounting software or a very basic version, the owner expects to sell say 10 items a day based on their business plan. If its successful then expansion will force them to hire someone to help or invest in a better accounting package that can automatically stock take, Update website, break down items sold, Marketing also needs to understand the planned market, check results at regular intervals. just some small parts for growth of a website

Just a few things that need to be understood by both sides, yet often the designers only have a limited experience in running a business and little knowledge of each customer they deal with