Have you ever heard that Mr. Rogers, the popular children’s show TV host, was a navy seal sniper? Or how about if you stand in front of a mirror with the lights off and say “bloody Mary” three times you’ll see a terrifying dead woman?
What could the above examples possibly have in common? They are both 100% myths. No, Mr. Rogers doesn’t wear his trademark sweater to cover up tattoos as the rumor claims. There are myths around almost everything, and small businesses are no exception.
Myth #1: “My small business can’t afford marketing or an advanced website.”
Oh no! This is the kind of thinking that holds businesses back. Effective marketing and website development has come a long way and is no longer restricted to those with inflated budgets.
GDD (growth-driven design) is a website development option many small businesses are turning to since the cost is spread out over months. They aren’t sacrificing quality either – GDD actually produces real results more than traditional website design. It is based on continuous improvement to maintain a maximum conversion rate.
Inbound marketing, the latest and greatest marketing approach for the internet, is versatile and can be scaled down as needed. Different methods include: workflows (email marketing), social media marketing, content offers, blogging, defined buyer personas, and more. Although it’s recommended to combine each of the different methods within inbound for best results, something is most definitely better than nothing.
Myth #2: “The more keywords I use, the higher my website will rank in Google.”
While it is definitely true that using keywords helps with SEO (search engine optimization) this doesn’t go for just any keyword. When your web marketer runs a keyword audit they are generating a list of keywords that relate to your website, along with how many times each is searched and the amount of competition.
If your business is trying to rank for a keyword that has too much competition, it will be significantly more difficult. Without knowing, it’s also possible you have chosen a keyword that isn’t searched often. This audit helps to select keywords with the right balance of both.
Long tail keywords are another great approach for SEO. These are a few different keywords strung together instead of just one. By using these, you are attracting more qualified leads and cutting down competition. Below is an example.
Keyword: ‘cupcakes’
Long tail keyword: ‘chocolate cupcakes in Orlando FL’
Myth #3: “My visitors should know everything about my business just by looking at my homepage.”
Some businesses fear that if they do not give visitors what they are looking for on the first page, they will leave. This is not true. If the user can easily spot what they’re looking for in the navigation bar, they will not be deterred in having to click it.
A crowded homepage hurts usability and confuses visitors. While it’s okay to have the basics of your business here, there’s no need to include everything.
Myth #4: “A new website will automatically bring in more traffic and convert.”
An updated responsive web design will make you business look more professional, but it’s not the only step. In order to know exactly which design elements convert your target audience the most, testing is crucial. GDD, (growth-driven design) an alternative to traditional website design, incorporates monthly testing and improvements that you can actually see.
To bring in more traffic, your website needs to rank higher with Google and other search engines. As we discussed above, keywords have to be used correctly in order to start ranking higher. Receiving credible backlinks is another piece to this puzzle which can be secured by blogging regularly.
Myth #5: “I’m pretty tech-savvy, building my own website should be easy.”
In a time where you can do almost anything yourself by watching a few YouTube videos, it’s tough to justify hiring someone to create your website. Unless you have a LOT of time and patience, you should think hard about tackling your own website design.
Coding in itself can be a nightmare and takes years to fully master. Even seasoned developers encounter new situations as the internet continues to advance. While it most definitely is not impossible to learn website design, it also isn’t easy.
We hope we’ve busted some myths for you today. If you have more questions about web design or marketing, please contact us or leave a comment below. And make sure to watch out for bloody Mary next time you’re in the dark. ..just kidding!
