3 things every small business owner should be able to do on their own website

Has your website guy ever flaked on you? It’s the worst.

One day, you’re paying a digital marketing company or individual contractor to create your dream website. The next day, they ghost on you without a trace.

When it comes down to it, the Internet is a pretty sketchy place with little accountability. You didn’t know it, but your web guy (or gal) just gave you a big ol’ “Bye Felicia,” leaving you and your company in a lurch.

Because digital marketing is a notoriously volatile industry, agencies fold as quickly as they open, and individuals quickly move on to other projects.

But where does this leave you? You have customers to serve, and your business can’t come to a grinding halt just because your expert vanished into the Interwebs.

If you sell your products online, the inability to update your website is downright crippling to your bottom line.

Moral of the story: Know where the keys are buried. 

To paraphrase what Kara says in her original article, whichever website platform you use, being able to use the damn thing is critical. I cannot overemphasize the value of this.

As a small business owner, you need to be able to do at least three things on your website: 

1. Login
2. Edit text
3. Upload and change images

To an extent, you need to grow a little self-reliance and be your own website guy.

If you can login, edit text, and replace images, then you are probably in better shape than you think.

If you can’t do these things, then learn. A digital marketing company will probably charge you hourly to make any changes to your website (no matter how small), so being able to do these three things yourself will save you money and time in the long run.

Even if you hate doing these things, or more likely, lack the time to do them, learn how to do them so that you can hand the keys to the kingdom to someone who’s an expert. Then, you’ll be able to delegate like a real boss.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask for basic instruction as part of your web development project. Before you sign a contract, make it clear you expect to be shown how to use the site.

For example, when I am wrapping up a web development project, I create a sendoff document for my client with all passwords and contact information for myself and other vendors, plus screen capture video and written instructions on how to log in, edit text, and replace images.

That way, the client has a quick cheat sheet handy when they want to update the site, and I can keep my plate clear for new exciting projects.

Being in control of your own content is one of the most powerful things about this crazy Internet age we live in. Don’t be afraid to ask hard questions and empower yourself.