Don’t listen to website designers!

First up, let’s clear something up.👇

“This article attempts to educate business owners to research and be vigilant when selecting a website platform or a website professional. It has been my experience that many business owners skip this step entirely, opting to listen to and partner with the first option presented to them, which can often result in costly mistakes. Website designers tend to be biased, so it stands to reason and logic that business owners should get opinions from other sources.”

— Michael Collett

While on Facebook, I came across a post where a business owner asked about switching their website from Wix to Shopify.

They had been recommended Shopify over their current platform for e-commerce, Wix. They asked people in a Facebook group whether to listen to the advice and switch platforms.

All of the responses came from website designers like me. And it got me thinking. If you are a business owner deciding on a platform for your business website, the last person you want to take advice from is a website designer. Why? Website designers are often biased toward one platform or another. I am no different.

And sure enough, most website designers responded to the initial question with comments like this.👇

“They’re both awful; you never own the website and can’t migrate it, etc. WordPress with WooCommerce is the best way and has no monthly costs.”

— Website Designer

So, they are not advising the business owner but instead attempting to sell their website platform preference to them. Don’t get me wrong; I have done it and do the same thing occasionally. If you are a designer who believes in your approach, you will try and promote it. And sometimes, there is nothing wrong with that.

However, the extract above reads like the website designer might not know much about Wix or Shopify. At least not enough to advise. This is typical of my experience when reading posts from website designers online.

For example, is the website ownership and migration part true? It certainly isn’t in the case of Squarespace, and Wix and Shopify share many similarities with Squarespace.

I am not criticising designers and their conduct. You can’t really blame them. Website designers will always, to a certain extent, sell what they know, and I include myself in that statement.

However, business owners must understand that a website designer is not in the best position to advise them on the choice of website platform because of their persistent bias.

So, as a business owner researching website platforms, who should you ask? Well, let’s go over that now. I will describe my recommended approach for business owners investing in a new website in three simple steps. 👇

“Website designers tend to be biased, so it stands to reason and logic that business owners should get opinions from other sources when selecting a website platform.”

— Michael Collett

Before we get into that, a little praise. 🙏🏻

First, let me say that the business owner who posted this question on Facebook should be congratulated. They have taken the time to consider website platforms for their business rather than adopting whatever approach they land on first by whomever they take their first advice from.

Many business owners don’t consider website platforms, which is crazy considering the size of the investment required to build and maintain a typical business website over time.

I love an analogy. 🚗

When we buy a new car, we don’t just buy the first one we see in the showroom. No, we look at the brochure and check the features. Does it have electric windows, and does it have climate control? We carefully assess and make sure it will meet our specific needs. And that is precisely the approach you should take when deciding on a website platform. And, of course, like the website designer, you don’t listen entirely to the car salesman because they want to sell you one of their cars. They will not tell you about the benefits of the cars in the showroom next door.

Business owners should view website designers as salespeople. Any savvy consumer knows you don’t fully trust a salesperson. You need to do your own homework and understand what you are buying. 🤓

So, researching and asking questions about website platforms is 100% the right approach for any business owner. What we will cover now is who to ask.👇

“Many business owners don’t consider website platforms, which is crazy considering the size of the investment required to build and maintain a typical business website over time. 💰”

— Michael Collett

Step 1: Check and see what kind of company you’re in. 👀

Who uses the platform you’re considering? Google and research. You’ve heard bad things about Shopify, Wix or Squarespace online, but who uses these platforms? You might be surprised by the size and stature of some companies and brands using these platforms and realise that some of the comments you’ve read online were not entirely true.

Businesses of any size can use any platform if it suits their needs and goals.

For example, here are two well-known businesses that use Squarespace.

Disney Pixar
The Boring Company

“Businesses of any size can use any platform if it suits their needs and goals.”

— Michael Collett

Step 2: Make contact. 📣

If you can, take Step 1 further. Contact some businesses that use the platform you are considering and ask about their experience.

I am not saying you should contact the companies I listed above in Step 1, but certainly companies of various sizes with comparable offers to yours.

Try doing this over social media or any way you can. Be cheeky and reach out. Whatever it takes. If you can speak to someone within the business or organisation who uses the platform daily, their input will be invaluable in helping you make an informed decision.

So, take this seriously and work hard at reaching out. Helpful information and feedback at this stage could save you from losing money and business headaches further down the road.

Step 2.1: Consider the long-term cost. 💰

I missed this from the original post, but I wanted to slot it in here.

Considering cost is essential when selecting a website platform for your business website. The cost of running a business website will be constant and vary drastically depending on your chosen solution. And I mean drastically! More on that later.

So, your website will cost you over time in three different ways:

1. The hosting costs and associated management costs to serve your website and keep it healthy and running.
2. The costs for professional work from a professional website designer, developer or digital marketer.
3. The cost of your time spent using your website.

The costs associated with points two and three will depend on how the website grows, whether it needs technical modifications, and how much company time you decide is suitable to invest.

Your website partner matters.

The cost associated with point one will vary greatly depending on which platform, which type you choose, and who you partner with. And unless you put a computer in your office with a server installed, you must partner with someone.

“As a business owner, choosing which website platform to build your website will be one of your most important decisions.”

— Michael Collett

There are currently two types of website platforms available. Hosted and self-hosted.

Hosted website platforms.

Hosted website platforms are closed and locked down. What does that mean? It means you can’t physically move the files that make up the website from one host to another. The platform allows you to build and manage a website via their interface and export your website, depending on which platform you use. A closed website platform has advantages and disadvantages depending on your exact requirements.

I believe the advantages of hosted platforms outweigh the disadvantages when building a typical business website, so I make most of my websites using Squarespace.

Examples of hosted website platforms include:

• Squarespace

• Shopify

• Webflow

• Wix

• Tilda

And many, many more. There are indeed lots to choose from.

Self-hosted website platforms.

Self-hosted website platforms have two parts: the website software and the website host. Once you have installed the software on a host (somewhere), you use the platform like a hosted system, building and managing your website via the interface. Like hosted website platforms, there are lots to choose from.

Examples of self-hosted website platforms include:

• WordPress

• Joomla

• ExpressionEngine

• Drupal

• Magento

And many, many more. There are a lot of self-hosted platforms to choose from. Undoubtedly, WordPress is the most popular self-hosted platform by far and the most widely used.

The difference in cost.

The cost will vary drastically depending on which one of these two website platform types you use and who you partner with. For example, let’s discuss Squarespace and WordPress, both popular and well-known platforms. Both I have used in my business.

Squarespace

Squarespace gives customers the choice of a monthly or annual fee at a reduced rate. Website plans start from £16 a month if you pay monthly or £12 a month if you pay annually. You can cancel anytime. The folks and Squarespace are very reasonable, and I can vouch for this personally, having received no quibble refunds in the past. You can pay for extras if you need them within the software; they are reasonably priced and high-quality.

WordPress

With WordPress, things are more complex as, unlike Squarespace, you can partner with anyone when it comes to WordPress. Well, anyone who has a server or resells hosting services. And who that partner is will dictate what you will pay.

While the WordPress software is free to use, which is excellent if you want to install it locally on your computer, it is not free of charge to host unless you have a server tucked under your bed. This is where things get tricky when it comes to WordPress.

You can get extras with WordPress in the form of plugins, and in fact, you will need to use some plugins because, in reality, WordPress does very little out of the box. Some of these plugins will be free to use. Some you will have to pay for. Prices and quality vary.

My experience with WordPress costs.

I have clients who have previously used WordPress and have been charged £300+ a month for website hosting and management services. It’s genuinely shocking. And unfortunately, it’s not all that uncommon. I am not saying there are not good, honest providers out there. I am advising you to be careful and do your homework before committing to anything financially.

Where to look for WordPress hosting.

When considering WordPress, you should research on the internet and look at hosting costs. If you don’t understand the jargon, ask someone who does to explain. And find out from other companies who they use and what they pay.

Avoid taking advice from website designers like me because I will sell you my reseller hosting at my price. But if you talk to a website designer about hosting costs, get a quote and a few more from several other providers. Not looking into this could cost you a lot. I have seen it happen. I have seen it almost kill one or two businesses.

And finally, remember WordPress can be hosted anywhere. So, if you are paying too much, move your website elsewhere. If you can, ask your provider for uninhibited server access so you can employ who you like to help you move your website, etc.

“I always prefer working with clients who fully understand what they are buying.”

— Michael Collett

Step 3: Hire a website designer. ✏️

Lastly, only once you have done your research thoroughly and have now made an informed decision on which platform you will use for your business website you can now hire a professional website designer/developer to design and build your business website. Of course, unless you decide to build it yourself. If you go down the professional route and have decided on Shopify, find someone specialising in Shopify, etc.

“Business owners should view website designers as salespeople. Any savvy consumer knows you don’t fully trust a salesperson.”

— Michael Collett

Conclusion.

I hope this advice will help you move towards the most suitable website platform for your business website.

Here is a quick checklist of steps to help you:

1. Ask yourself what it is you want your website to do.
2. Research website platforms by asking actual users and avoid asking website professionals.
3. Make a list of platforms that will meet your needs.
4. Get quotations for ongoing costs (annual/monthly plans, hosting) and compare.
5. Make a selection and find a website designer.

Ask me anything, but remember, I am a website designer.

If you want to ask me anything regarding Squarespace, I promise to try to be impartial, but remember, don’t listen to me alone. I am a website designer, and like all website designers, I too am biased toward my preference of website platform. I am not saying you shouldn’t listen to anything I say, but don’t take my absolute word for it.

Please research and ensure you understand the product you’re financially investing in. I always prefer working with clients who fully understand what they are buying.

So, follow the steps above, research and speak to real business owners using the platform you are interested in for their businesses. Good luck. 😊