Over recent years, the actual build of B2B websites has become much easier and more cost-efficient. Stable CMS platforms such as WordPress means front and backend development are more closely intertwined. Tech speak is a thing of the past, there is nothing you shouldn’t understand about your website if you want to.
BUILDING B2B WEBSITES
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BUILDING A B2B WEBSITE
Integrate
The actual build of your website is the part where it all comes together and becomes interactive. We design and build at the same time. We have a non-linear approach.
Should we build a website from scratch, we have some in-house developers?
If you are building a website from scratch using bespoke coding, you might want to think again. There are numerous open-source platforms and design templates that are significantly more stable and better supported. And, just because a template has a high user number, it doesn’t mean all sites look the same. Instead, what you’re getting is core functionality. You can then focus your energies on modifying the template through coding to make it look the way you want it to and not worry if it integrates properly with your CRM.
Beware, cheap is cheap. And getting tied into future payments for hosting and support should all be considered. It might be easy now, but is it going to be a pain-in-the-ass further down the line. Also, don’t go too big too soon. Some platforms are vast and complicated. Really think about the functionality that you need rather than what you would like.
We can help you make an informed decision about platforms, security and hosting.
You design and build at the same time...what do you mean?
Over the years we have come to realise that it’s not until we get to the build phase of a job that clients really get engaged with the final outcome. Copy documents approved, wireframes approved, page designs approved… all start to shift once we get to the reality.
So, we merged our processes so they are non-linear. We craft the design and perfect the UX and UI as we build. There’s scope to change the copy on the fly and generally massage it into shape. Obviously, we have to have a starting point, and a clear approved brief.
We believe that it’s better for us to teach you to fish, rather than just sell you a fish. So, if you are up for it, we created templates and you copy over your blog posts or other content so you get used to working in the content management system (CMS) and have the confidence from day one to keep your website up to date.
Which CMS?
We use WordPress. It’s an open-source platform and millions of websites globally use it.
We have also built websites in Joomla, Umbraco and a few others, but ultimately we are a WordPress company.
There are plugins that make integrations easy, add functionality and generally help to keep your site current. Plugins can pose a security threat, but only if they are not kept up to date and managed regularly. If you build your site, leave it alone for a few years and do nothing then you will probably get hacked. It’s preventable.
WordPress is super easy to use. There is no reason why you can’t make edits, add resources, update pages and create new pages without agency support. Self-sufficiency rules. Of course, if you don’t have time or the inclination, we can or an agency of your choice will easily be able to support you.
