Top-Line Overview
Mistake #1: Ignoring the Tech Stack
The first, and perhaps most common mistake, concerns the “tech stack.” Many B2B companies spend a considerable amount of money on their websites, often upwards of £30,000 to £50,000, without realizing they’re not getting a custom website.
Instead, they’re provided with a website built with a drag-and-drop landing page builder like Elementor or Beaver Builder. While these platforms are not inherently bad, they do not offer the custom, lightweight, and future-proofed build that you might expect for your investment. Understanding your tech stack before starting a web project is therefore vital.
A key consideration is the difference between custom builds and landing page builders. Custom builds are lightweight, offer no layout shifting, and pose no issues for Google to crawl, render, and index the pages. In contrast, landing page builders often come with various issues, including unnecessary lines of code (nesting), potential compatibility issues with WordPress updates, and a non-native environment.
Mistake #2: Settling for Less in Design
The second mistake revolves around design. When you outsource your website design, you’re typically presented with three options. Often, none of these options entirely match your vision, and you end up selecting the one you dislike the least.
However, you can address this by crowdsourcing between 15 and 20 designs using the same brief. This approach brings a variety of ideas and concepts to the table, increasing the likelihood of finding a design that truly resonates with your vision.
Mistake #3: Overlooking Project Timeline
The third mistake involves overlooking the project timeline. Many companies find their website development projects dragging on for over 12 months, often due to issues with the design and tech stack.
A well-executed project should not exceed three months for the initial 1.0 version of your B2B website. Any longer, and you risk diminishing returns on your investment. Plan accordingly and make sure to establish a clear and achievable timeline before starting the project.
Conclusion
Creating a new website for your B2B company can be an exciting venture. However, it’s crucial to be aware of these common mistakes to ensure you’re not overpaying for your website. By paying attention to your tech stack, design choices, and project timeline, you can create a high-quality website that delivers value for your investment.
Do you have more questions about avoiding costly mistakes in website development? Feel free to reach out or stay tuned for our next video.