Strong websites are a lot like a good truck. Bear with me because this isn’t going to turn into a bad country music song.
Websites are put together and maintained in similar fashion to vehicles.
1. Websites are not a one person operation. It takes people and resources to put together a quality product that will last. There are people that can build their own truck from a kit, but for the vast majority of people will have to go to the dealership to get the kind of truck they want. Websites are similar. It may seem easy to put together a quality site, but 9/10 times you’re better off going to the experts. Good thing Web Strategists don’t have the reputation of car salesmen!
2. Websites are systems oriented – there are multiple parts working together. What good is a great looking truck without the engine? What good is the engine without the fuel line or the ignition switch? Just like trucks rely on multiple parts and systems to work well, so do websites. What good is a website that looks good but does nothing? What good is a website that does everything but looks terrible? You need a balance of quality design, well-developed code, easy functionality, and great content. Don’t let your website be just another “car on the blocks” in a front yard.
3. Websites are customizable. Flowmasters? Hydraulics? Mega subwoofer? Long bed? Crew cab? Trucks come in all shapes and sizes and for good reason. One size doesn’t fit all. Trucks have multiple uses — plus wouldn’t life be boring if everyone drove a blue Toyota Tacoma? A good website is one that is customizable and customized to fit your needs. Template sites work (ie standard car), but you want to have a site that is unique to you. What if every website out there looked like CNN? Boring!
4. Websites require maintenance and upgrades. This is the part of the vehicle that everyone hates. Trucks require tune-ups, oil changes, gas to run, and sometimes new parts. Yes, eventually you’ll even have to just get a brand new vehicle. Websites are the same way. You want to make sure your site is hosted with a reliable provider that will make sure your site always has good bandwidth and stays running (ie gas for a truck). You also want to make sure you make changes and upgrades to your site. The same look you had in 1999 won’t cut it for 2010. Parts of your site grow old as newer technology emerges. By making small investments in your site along the way you’ll make your initial investment last longer.
5. Websites are tools to help you get the job done. Trucks help you get around town. They help you haul things. They can even tow! Good trucks make your life easier in a variety of ways. Websites should do the same thing. Make your site work for you not the other way around. Do your research and invest in a site wisely just like you would when buying a vehicle. Remember why you’re getting a website in the first place. You want it to serve a purpose whether that be sell a product, promote your business, provide a service, or all of the above. The possibilities are endless.
