What is the first thing a customer sees before purchasing your product or service sees? Your website. In fact, your website is the easiest way for them to learn more about your services. However, there are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding website development in Australia.
This will only fuel the suspension business owners have about web development, which makes them abandon the idea of building a website. In this post, we have collected some of the most common myths about web development.
We have busted through these myths and offer a practical approach to why website development is important for Australian businesses in 2024.
8 Myths about Website Development in Australia
1. Websites are Outdated and Irrelevant in 2024
Who needs websites nowadays? No one is looking for them, right? Totally wrong. More than 90% of people visit a brand’s website before purchasing its services or products. A website is a digital storefront for your website, and based on their experience on the website, the customer makes the choice.
For an e-commerce store, small business and startup, the website makes a big difference. Also, websites help with sales and capture leads. Using adaptable interfaces that work on different screens is the best way to keep people interested. Old-fashioned templates can be used temporarily, but it’s better to prioritize adaptability. This creates stronger relationships in dynamic environments.
2. Web Development is Too Expensive
Most businesses think that developing a website is an expensive endeavour; however, nowadays, it’s very affordable. Also, this initial investment will help you build a strong brand throughout the Australian market, which is enough ROI. A website will provide a first impression to your potential buyer, which will help in the long term.
One of the main things to remember before hiring a website developer is to carefully consider what you need in your website. If we continuously change the features, designs and other functionalities, it will only add up the cost and delay the launch. Define your needs, what your target audience is looking for and how you want your website to represent your brand will decide the web development cost.
3. Anyone Can Build A Website
Custom web solutions that cater to complex business objectives are more secure and perform better than simplistic website templates. Yes, it’s true that with a website builder, anyone can develop a website without getting help from a web developer, but will it be sufficient? When you are competing in the market, standing out with a custom website can be an advantage.
Also, most readymade website templates don’t provide many features and functionalities. You also need to develop a website design that matches your brand’s colour combination and status. While building a website by yourself could be cost effective, choosing to go with web designer and developer in Australia will help you set up a benchmark.
4. Web Development is a One-time Project
When developing a website, it’s important to keep in mind that it requires ongoing effort. After the launch, the website must be continuously updated and maintained in order to stay relevant. To stay relevant and adhere to different search engine protocols, updating a website becomes necessary.
Neglecting a website can harm its reputation, especially as technology needs change. To avoid this, businesses need to invest in web development agencies to enhance their website performance and secure the data. This will also impact your search engine ranking, as most search engines will only give priority to the website that is updated.
5. Mobile Responsiveness is Not Useful
More than 50% of website visits come from a mobile device, and when we consider the total population of the world, the number is gigantic. We cannot neglect them as they are also our targeted audience, which is why we build a website with mobile optimization in mind. Without mobile responsiveness, your website won’t look good on mobile devices, which will affect sales and increase the bounce rate.
To make sure that websites look good on all devices, it’s important to use layouts that are flexible and adaptable. This will make it easier for people to access the website from anywhere. It’s also important to think about how people will interact with the website. By building a strong foundation, it will be easier to add new features and keep the website up-to-date
6. SEO Doesn’t Matter for Web Development
You build a website but how will you attract audience, this is not same as building it and they will come scenario. SEO or search engine optimization plays an important role for every website as it increases their visibility in the search. So that, every time someone enters a query relevant to your business, your website will rank higher in the Search result.
This involves creating a website architecture that is easy to understand and using keywords that are relevant to your business. Improving your website’s rankings on search engines can increase traffic to your site. It’s recommended to follow technical standards to further improve your online presence in competitive markets.
7. Websites Are Only for Large Businesses
Small businesses and startups can benefit the most from website development. As they are just starting out, their website becomes their storefront. This will help them create an authority in their industry and bring new opportunities. When you have a website, it’s a fair game for all; anyone can rank in the search engine, which allows them to compete with other big enterprises.
Small businesses can benefit by standing out among local competitors. Apart from promoting products or services, websites can showcase the use of local SEO to capture the market and become a household name.
8. Website Does Not Require Maintenance
Just like any brick-and-mortar shop, we need to invest in maintenance to keep the website updated with current protocols. This includes continuous SEO updates and implementing various strategies. Also, website speed is a vital part of maintenance. Google reports that websites that take time to load will lose interest and be considered irrelevant for any search queries.
Similarly, website maintenance means improving website performance. There are many issues that can arise for websites like dead pages and 404 errors. Website maintenance can solve them and help users navigate the website easily.
Things to Consider Before Developing a Website in Australia
While we have busted many myths, it’s important to understand, there are many things which is considered important when you start building a website, here are some of them,
Understanding User Preferences
Find out which social media sites and popular platforms are often used by your target demographic. This assists in tailoring the features and functionality of your website to appeal to their interests.
Mobile-First Development
Make sure you develop your website with mobile devices in mind. For the best user experience, it’s necessary for a responsive design that works fluidly across several screen sizes (desktops, tablets, and smartphones).
Content Localization
Consider using Australian idioms or subtle references to culture to connect with your audience without losing professionalism but stay away from heavy slang. As a result, there may be an increase in brand loyalty and local relevance.
Accessibility Compliance
Website accessibility for those with impairments is required under Australian regulations. Prioritize WCAG compliance when developing. Features like keyboard accessibility, alternate text for photos, and easy navigation are examples of this.
Australian Payment Integration
Popular payment gateways in Australia are not like those in other countries. Integrate services like PayPal, Afterpay, and Zip Pay to provide customers with a seamless and comfortable checkout process.
Conclusion
Despite the many benefits a website offers, we still find people who think websites are not that important or are a waste of resources. There are many myths about how building a website is irrelevant in today’s time and how building a website is just a one-time thing. In this blog, we have explained how these 8 myths about website development are wrong and why you should invest in a web development company in Australia. A website will offer you the chance to stand apart from the crowd and let you become the undisputed authority in your field.
