If you’re reading this, you either want to build a website for your organization from scratch, or you have an existing website that’s outdated, difficult to navigate, or not working the way you need it to. You need to find a professional web development team to help you transform your online presence, but you’re unsure what to expect or where to begin your search.
You’re also probably wondering how long it will take to build or refresh your website, how much it will cost, and what you can expect for a return on your investment. But before diving into your search, the first and most important step is to clarify precisely what you want and expect from a new website.
Identifying What You Need From Your New Website
Before you begin the hunt for a strategic website partner, it’s critical to identify a few things before beginning. First, envision what you will need from your website. Then focus on what you need from your partnership with a website provider to ensure your vision is built and effectively managed long-term. If you have an existing website, you’ll need to identify specific areas to focus on, such as opportunities for increased functionality, enhanced visibility, and a better user experience. Identifying and clarifying your needs will help you communicate them to a potential website provider so they understand your expectations.
What Do You Need Your Website to Do?
First, ask yourself what you need your website to do for your business. Be specific. Do you need it to serve as an educational platform? Do you want it to generate leads? Do you want visitors to be able to buy products and services directly from your website? Answering these questions can help you find a strategic partner who understands your specific goals and can help you achieve them.
What Do You Need From Your Website Partner?
When looking for a strategic website partner, you must know what services you need from them upfront and on an ongoing basis. What are you willing and able to do to keep your website updated, secure, and viable for potential visitors? What do you need or want a website partner to assist with or take over? If applicable, what isn’t your current website provider offering that you expected when you hired them?
What is Your Existing Website Lacking?
If you have an existing website, consider what aspects aren’t working anymore or could be enhanced. Are there broken links, slow-loading pages, or other functional issues to address? Is it optimized for SEO? Is your brand voice clear and consistent throughout your message? Make a list of how your website could be improved, and provide this information to your new website provider.
Let’s look at some specific reasons why many organizations decide it’s time for a new website:
It’s Time for a DIY Upgrade
Did you build the existing version of your website yourself? Many business owners choose to build their own websites when first starting up to save time and money. While this can work for a while, as your business grows, you may find you’ve outgrown your simple website and need something a bit more robust.
Your Website is Broken or Difficult to Navigate
If a website isn’t properly managed, plugins, links, and other important features can stop functioning, making the user experience glitchy and frustrating. Navigating a website should be intuitive, fast, and accessible. If your website no longer provides a seamless user experience, it might be time for a complete overhaul.
You’re Not Generating Enough Leads
Are you getting a lot of visitors to your website but not so many leads? Lead generation is one of the most important functions your website should offer. If you notice that people are landing on your website but not taking any action, it may be time to create more lead-generating content and functionality.
Your Brand Needs a Refresh
Is your brand the same as it was when you started? Most likely, your brand has evolved significantly since your website first launched, which means it no longer accurately represents who you are or what you have to offer. If your website no longer reflects your true brand, it may be time for a refresh.
Your Website Provider is MIA
Has your current website provider stopped responding to your needs, making you feel you’re no longer a priority? Or worse, have they ghosted you, leaving you wondering how to keep your website up-to-date with fresh and relevant content? It’s time to find a website partner that won’t abandon you after the initial launch, one that will stick with you as your brand grows.
How Pivot Creative Partners With Website Clients
If you’re looking for a strategic partner to help you build a website that meets your needs today and will be there to help you make enhancements as your brand evolves, the Pivot Creative team can help. We provide a variety of website solutions that we customize to meet your brand’s unique and ever-changing needs.
Our Strategic Website Process
Here’s a sneak peek into our strategic process for building websites so you’ll know what to expect when you work with us.
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Problem Identification Phase
We begin each partnership by developing an understanding of your unique challenges. Whether it’s a website suffering from broken functionalities, a platform failing to generate leads, or a brand representation that no longer resonates with its audience, we start by identifying the core issues.
Our clients come from diverse backgrounds—some have outgrown their DIY websites, and others are left stranded by retiring web providers or unresponsive agencies, leaving clients frustrated and unsure how to move forward. Identifying and addressing the core problems from the start ensures we build a strategy that aligns with our clients’ needs and expectations.
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Discovery and Project Scoping Phase
Our journey together continues with a thorough discovery and project scoping phase. This phase is crucial as it allows us to dig deep into every aspect of your project–including those you might not have considered. Beyond the core website issues identified, we’ll also look at how your website connects to your brand presence as a whole and determine how each piece of the marketing puzzle fits carefully together.
Once we’ve identified key goals, we begin the project scoping process. We establish timelines, set expectations for our team and yours, and communicate what is needed to progress at every project stage. We aim to ensure that every aspect of your brand works together seamlessly, aligning your overall marketing strategy with your goals for brand growth and evolution.
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Strategic Planning and Customization Phase
Our strategic planning phase goes beyond the website itself. We consider the entire marketing ecosystem, addressing questions like how to drive traffic to your site, what to do when your sales funnel is full, and how to keep that funnel filled. Our holistic and creative approach ensures your website meets current needs and adapts to future growth and changes in the market.
Understanding that one size does not fit all, we offer fully customized solutions to match your specific industry, audience, and challenges. This might include developing member portals with gated access, creating custom animations or videos, integrating platforms for podcasts or YouTube channels, and building e-commerce capabilities with tools like WooCommerce or Shopify.
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Regular Communication and Transparency (Ongoing)
One of the highlights of our service is the level of communication and transparency we maintain throughout the website project and beyond. From discovery through implementation and long after the website has launched, you will have a dedicated point of contact who keeps you informed and updated at every stage of the process. You’ll always be made aware of the progress and any issues that arise so you can provide timely feedback, which is crucial for the project’s success.
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Maintenance, Analysis, and Improvements (Ongoing)
Your website is more than a static representation of your brand at any moment; it will always be a work in progress. After the website launch, we’ll continue working with you and your team to address any potential issues as they arise. We’ll track and analyze your website’s performance, working to continually improve upon what’s working and pivot as needed to grow and optimize your brand’s online presence as your business evolves.
Partner With Pivot Creative For Your Website Needs
As your strategic partner, Pivot Creative brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Our team includes skilled content writers who are well-versed in StoryBrand style, talented designers, an in-house development team, and marketing professionals with decades of experience. We hold certifications from HubSpot for automation and CRM, Facebook for digital marketing, and are Keap partners for email marketing. This diverse expertise equips us to handle every facet of your project with precision and professionalism.
Choosing Pivot Creative as your strategic website partner means embarking on a journey toward a more effective and engaging online presence. Our team’s comprehensive approach to website development, combined with our extensive expertise and dedication to customization and communication, ensures your website meets your brand’s current needs and positions you for future success.
Contact the Pivot Creative team today for more information on how we can help transform your website and digital strategy.
