Billy No Mates?
Saving a few pounds when building your website may seem like a good idea, but could cost you more than precious time…
When it comes to building a website, many business owners are tempted to take the “Mates Rates” approach – roping in a friend or relative to get the job done. It’s cheap, it’s convenient, and hey, you’ve got someone to share a coffee with while they code away. But here’s the reality: this friendly favour can quickly turn into a nightmare, leaving you with a website that’s more hindrance than help. Let’s break down the pitfalls of asking a friend (or relative) to create your website and why hiring a professional agency is the smarter move.
Lack of Expertise
Your friend might be great at tinkering with computers or even dabbling in web design, but a professional-grade website requires expertise in design, development, user experience, AND the all-important Search Engine Optimisation – amongst other things. Without these, your website risks being a digital ghost town, with poor navigation, slow loading speeds, and zero visibility on search engines. Let’s face it – that’s not good for business.
Blurry Boundaries
Mixing business with friendship can blur boundaries. Deadlines may get overlooked because, well, they’re “doing you a favour”, right? Feedback can become awkward – how do you tell your niece / nephew / cousin their work isn’t up to scratch? These blurred lines often lead to frustration and strained relationships.
No Accountability
When things go wrong – and trust us, they often do – who do you turn to? Your friend may not have the resources, time, or inclination to fix things promptly. A professional agency, on the other hand, offers clear contracts, timelines, and support, ensuring your website stays in peak condition.
Limited Scalability
Your business will grow (that’s the goal, right?), and your website needs to keep up. A friend might be able to handle the basics, but scaling a website to match your ambitions requires a professional touch. Features like e-commerce integration, advanced analytics, or custom functionalities are best left to the pros.
So how do you choose the right agency to work with?
Years ago, I attended an interesting talk by a well-known businesswoman who had rapidly and massively transformed her own business thanks to investors and experienced business mentors. These people had shared with her their knowledge, triumphs, and errors so that she could replicate the good and avoid the pitfalls.
When I asked how she had known who were the right people to support her in bringing her dream to reality, she replied (and I’ll never forget this), “you have to choose who you do business with, like you choose who you get into bed with”! Seeing my shocked expression, she went on to explain that, as your business is such a personal thing, the prospect of exposing that precious thing to a stranger can be paralysing – and that for years this had prevented her from growing her Company in the way she did, as she didn’t want to “risk my friendships” by engaging someone already in her circle to work with. However, once she overcame the fear (and did her research), choosing the right people to invest both their cash and expertise meant that growth came easily and in abundance.
Sidebar: if you really have NO choice but to use a friend for your website, give them a helping hand with a copy of my best-selling book Website Mastery for Business Owners who Don’t Speak Tech: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Website-Mastery-Business-Owners-Speak/dp/B0BYRXDQPB
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. Do you really want to risk it by handing the reins to a mate with limited skills and time? By choosing a professional agency, you’re investing in a website that’s built to grow your business, save you time, and deliver results. Don’t let a friendly favour cost you a good friend, or your professional reputation – let the pros handle it.
Have you read our best-selling book: Website Mastery for Business Owners who Don’t Speak Tech?
Download a free chapter or buy your copy from http://www.websitemasterybook.com