A web designer doesn't have the ability to design a successful website!

I know that this will aggravate many web designers out there but please (and I do advocate discussion on this matter, so please do leave a comment!)

Here is my point and stance on this matter!

I am a graphic designer and it is my job to visually represent the desires of my clients. It is my job to visually portray many things. Emotions, desires the list is endless! Anyway, as a designer it is my job to do many things. A website on the other hand is simply put, a portal. An extension of your business/ organisation. No different technically to a brochure and or a business card. No more important than your logo!

Now fair comment in regards to the capabilities of a website and when used to its potential can make a dramatic change to numerous areas of a business/ organisation. But, capabilities & function aside and paying extra special attention to the definition of a website as being a portal, a so called extension of ones business/ organisation; a webdesigner does not posess the basic skills with which to effectively build a website to cater or make best use of this definition.

A website is an extension of your business. Your organisation at a basic level. Another opportunity to establish strengthen and maintain your brand in the eyes of prospective customers. This alone requires specific skills. Training to say the least on how to approach this with accuracy and sensitivity. It's not just a matter of logo here photo there. Content here color there. Graphic Design is a science! Not a simple color by numbers.

Web design is exactly that, design for the web. Now in the early days of the web it was easy to differentiate the difference between so called web designers and graphic designers. I suppose you could blame the lack of capabilities of the internet at that time and the support by vrious browwsers but could the same not be said about the limitations of traditional print media?

A graphic designer sees differently from the traditional webdesigner and therefore has the ability to manipulate what the viewer sees and how. Even what mood they're in when they view it! Web design for the graphic designer produces new challenges, new opportunites to tell new stories, visually and to impress upon it's viewers any important aspect that needs to be promoted such as unique, quality & even that a product or service is unattainable.

How then can a web designer achieve the same if they're not trained to? Yes they have the ability to increase function and accessibility but the fact still remains that for web designers that have grown since the introduction of the internet and that design techniques have merely been a matter of hit and miss (and how we all remember the introduction of the animated GIF :( )

Graphic design has simply enhanced the medium that is the internet and the vehicle that is the website! A coupling of two that has left both with new challenges and opened new doors!

The importance of quality design is apparent. Good design provides you with an extension to your existing branding efforts. An extra volume to the book that tells the world about you and your business' story. An effort that needs to be carefully and methodically approached with careful planning and preparation. A website is merely a vehicle with which to effectively tell this story. A story that can only be told effectively by a visual stroy teller, a graphic designer.

Small business success equals website. There is no other medium available to the majority of small business owners more effective then the medium that is the Internet!

A website is a highly effective & cost efficient vehicle for the small business. It enables the small business to gain a foot hold in the global market simply by being accessible to the global market. I personally have had a lot of intimate involvement with alot of small businesses including start ups and the mindset of these people (without stereotyping or categorising) are either yay or nay. They either have a website as an integral part of their business or they think that a website has no place in the early development of their business and that a website is merely a luxury.

Having spent the last 18 months involved with research on this particular topic i have found that one of the major barriers tot he uptake of this technology and the numerous benefits of a well designed AND managed website is .... EDUCATION!

Small business owners simply do not know the noumerous benefits of a website.

here are some quick tips that will help small business owners unsure of what the benefits of a website are and or even where to start:

• TALK! talk to friends, family colleagues even the guy @ the corner store if he has a website. ask them questions like 'are you getting many enquiries through it?', ' have your sales increased?'. As k the important questions that you really want to know about. If their family don't be shy but with other people it may pay to be a bit more tactful
• SURF! I know this is a term that is quickly disappearing from Internet terminology but people still do it, even I still do! Try looking for forums from business owners in the same dilemma as you. Leave comments, ask questions. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain. PLUS it's anonymous. Try Yahoo Answers, an awesome site with some really good contributors that will help you get started. WARNING that site is highly addictive! Similar sites are plentiful simply googling small business forums will no doubt help immensely!
• RESEARCH! Talk to your business advisors about moving online. Read articles blogs and hubs just like this one. Leave comments and network with people in the know. Even try a free consultation with a web designer. (tell him (or her!) a small spiel about your business and ask him (or her :) ) how a website will BENEFIT your business. If you sit there for 30 mins and have heard nothing but features then walk away! Try talking to small design studios. Small studios have as much at stake as you do. Your online success is their online success!
• DONT BE SHY! If you hide your idea in the closet how is anyone supposed to be able to help you? YES people will burn you, I wont lie. I've been burnt by people in the past and expect to be burnt again now doubt in the future but experience is one hell of a teacher and would we not be where we are if not for all the good AND bad experiences we've ever had? Experience will help you manage it alot better in the future maybe even alert you to the signs and help you avoid it but you need to share your ideas, bring in other people with the experience and expertise find out as much as you can about the benefits & pitfalls of moving your business online and then make a strong and better informed decision!

I'm a graphic designer/ web designer and advocate moving any-body's business online because I know the numerous doors that can be opened locally, nationally and globally with an online presence. I have seen how well business have benefited by extending their business with a website. The increased sales, the higher demand & even the streamlining of simple processes such as accounting, stock management and ordering procedures that are possible with an online presence. I have seen small business owners automate their online ambitions leaving them with valuable time to invest in more important things such as family and ... golf swing techniques :).

The Internet is here to stay; with the continual advancement of technology it will only get bigger brighter and more exciting. If you've ever thought of moving your business online follow the steps above and that will put you in an ideal position with which to make a well informed decision.