There are certain inevitabilities in an entrepreneur’s life. If you have a business, at this point it’s inevitable that that business has a website. And if you have a website, it is inevitable that at some point, there will be a problem with that website. Who do you turn to when you need help?

This is a question that stumps a lot of small business owners. When your car breaks down, you know to call the mechanic. However, there’s a ton of confusion out there about what type of tech professional is needed to fix a website problem. Here is a breakdown of who provides what and how to decide what you need.

DOES THIS ARTICLE APPLY TO YOU?

If you had a website created in an all-inclusive system like Volusion, Square Space or Wix: No this does not apply to you. Here is an awesome video of 2013’s Funniest Animal Videos you can watch instead!

If you had a custom website built for your business: YES! You want to keep reading.

KNOW YOUR TECH TEAM!

Domain Registrar:

This is the company that you purchased your website name or names through. They are the company that is responsible for keeping your name and notifying you when it is coming up for renewal.

Web Host:

This is the company that provides you with the server space where your website ‘lives’. Your webhost also provides bandwidth, which determines how much traffic your website can handle. Some web hosting companies provide account monitoring, which means they’ll notify you of any issues they detect on your website. However, they do not repair these issues. Another way to think of a web host is like a parking garage – they take care of the garage, but not your car.

Web Designer:

This person or team is responsible for the looks of your website. Keeping with our car analogy they would be the team designing the body and the interior. The web designer sets the tone and structural look for your website. They create the blueprints to hand to someone else to build.

Web Developer:

This is the builder. This person or team that is responsible for taking the blueprints created by the designer and making them come to life. This person is sometimes referred to as the web coder, because they work primarily with the code and software that makes the website function.

Content/Copywriter:

This person or team who provides you with the headlines and text for your website. They need to be involved with your web designer so the messages they write support and enhance the visuals being created. Content can also drive design choices, which means your web designer will create a layout based on the text.

Marketer:

Your website is a marketing tool. The marketer should take a big picture view of your website to make sure it is promoting your business effectively. They will consider design, content and function looking for the ways you are connecting with and converting your visitors. This is a creative and analytical position that needs to work seamlessly with your team.

Web Agency:

This is a team of web designers, web developers, copywriters and marketers. As a team they work together to create your website and often other digital experiences, like your social media presence or video content. Some web agencies will provide you with additional services besides just design and development, but that will vary from agency to agency.

Your Action Steps:

If you’re not sure what services the various tech professionals you’re working with actually provide, it’s time that you ask them. Make a list of what everyone who works on your website does. You may find that you’re paying for redundant services – two or more companies contracted to do essentially the same thing – or you may find that you want a single vendor to provide all of your support needs, simplifying your life and providing you with peace of mind.

Analyze your current support network, determine if it is meeting your needs, and make changes as necessary. Need help through this process? Give us a call. We’re here to provide the support and guidance that’s so critical in taking your company to the next level.