I Need a Website

You know your business needs a website, but how do you decide among all the options out there? We’ll help you figure out what you need in a website as we explore some of the most popular platforms (Wix, SquareSpace, WordPress) and help you pick one that’s just right for you and your business.

Create a Website

I Need a Website

You know your business needs a website, but how do you decide among all the options out there? We’ll help you figure out what you need in a website as we explore some of the most popular platforms (Wix, SquareSpace, WordPress) and help you pick one that’s just right for you and your business.

Websites are built on a Content Management System (CMS)

It doesn’t matter how great your content or product is, if your CMS can’t display and manage it right, it won’t have nearly half the impact it deserves. The end user doesn’t care how you build your site. They want it to be beautiful, engaging, and easy to use when searching for the information or product they are interested in.

8 Things to Consider When Choosing a CMS Platform

Web Development Cape Cod

1. Business Impacts

What impacts will this platform have on my business?

2. Real Costs

Do I understand the true costs of the platform?

3. Ongoing Requirements

Launching a website is only the start, what are the ongoing needs of the selected platform?

4. Technology

How well does the CMS integrate with my existing technology stack?

5. Skillset

How easy is the CMS to deploy? Does it require special skills to use?

6. Features

Does the CMS have all the features you need to run your organization and meet your goals?

7. Future Needs

How does the platform adjust and grow with changes to my business needs?

8. Support

Does the vendor provide the training and ongoing support I need to be successful?

Web Development Cape Cod

Get to Know Your Content Management Systems

eCommerce

Managed CMS

Open Source CMS

Shopify

Shopify Development

Shopify Pros:

  1. Over 100 beautiful, professional looking, mobile ready storefront themes.
  2. Comprehensive, flexible ecommerce builder with a large App Store to extend shop functionality.
  3. Shopify offers you a true 24/7 anytime support.

Shopify Cons:

  1. Shopify charges a transaction fee for every sale (unless you use Shopify Payment)
  2. Monthly cost may add up if you integrate multiple Apps.
  3. You need to know “Liquid” if you want to customize your theme extensively.

Squarespace

Squarespace Development

Squarespace Pros:

  1. Beautiful, designer-quality templates that will make your website standout.
  2. All Squarespace templates are mobile responsive meaning sites look great across all devices.
  3. Extensive styling options are available to customize your design.

Squarespace Cons:

  1. When viewing your website on a mobile device, how your design looks in editing mode may be slightly different from its published mode
  2. Extensive styling options could be overwhelming.
  3. Squarespace’s ecommerce platform only integrates with limited payment processors.

Wordpress

Squarespace Development

Wordpress Pros:

  1. Fully customizable, meaning the sky is the limit if you know how to edit code.
  2. Wordpress leads the industry in SEO sites, leading to a distinct advantage over other CMS’ when indexing on search engines such as Google.
  3. Low starting costs when compared to other open source content management systems.

Wordpress Cons:

  1. Layout and design editing is largely done in CSS and HTML.
  2. WordPress maintenance difficulties can arise when various themes and plugins are integrated.
  3. Hosting requirements.

Next Steps

Action items and resources to help you get started on launching your new website!

Get Started!

  1. Consult your marketing, editorial, sales and IT departments and ask for their CMS demands.
  2. Assess your existing technology stack and skills across all stakeholders.
  3. Estimate a budget and consider the cost of implementation for both open vs. closed source solutions.

Downloads:

I Need a Website Presentation PDF

Download the Files

Website Launch Checklist PDF

Download the Files
Since 2013, Narrow Land has designed more than websites. We’ve developed relationships. As business owners, we understand the high stakes involved in building an online presence that boosts your bottom line. That’s why we emphasize a collaborative approach that prioritizes your company’s needs, dreams, and deadlines.

With a top ranking in Upwork and an extensive portfolio demonstrating data-driven design, beautiful craft, and fluency with technology’s limits and possibilities, Narrow Land is a team you can rely on for the long haul.

We’ve been there. You can trust us to take you where you need to be.
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