The top 4 advantages a bespoke website can offer:
1. Business process alignment
What is this? Every business is different and unique, despite any similarities. Why? Each one is run by an individual(s) who thinks differently; what works for one may not work for another.
A competent web developer or agency will listen to the way you do things and ask about the processes you have in place first, so that when they build your custom website, it accurately mirrors these. This means instead of you having to change your process and add procedures to fit around the needs of a limited website, the website dovetails into your business; even making it easier in some cases.
2. Automation
There is a misconception that websites are mere ‘pages of a book’ and all they do is put images and text together and show them to users (oversimplification we know, but you get the point).
The reality is pretty much anything can be done with code. In fact, a website could be used to control your house if you wanted it to and had the applicable software to integrate with (see next point). It would be impossible to list all the possible processes a website or even web application could automate. But here's how some we've helped clients:
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Automated staff and client satisfaction surveys with response and feedback score collation, including downloadable PDF feedback reports, reducing time spent sending emails and adding up numbers.
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Ability to add/manage products, images and details to their website, reducing time spent editing products one at a time.
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Application forms with unique functionality, saving hours spent filling paper forms out and reducing the possibility of data breaches.
Whatever digital tasks you have, they can likely be automated. Consider how much the task is currently costing you. Could automating it save you that time (money) and enable you and your staff to focus on more important and valuable areas of the business? The automation could be as simple as removing the need for an administrator to print/open a form and enter it onto another system.
3. Integration
This naturally leads on from automation. Why? Because integrating your website with another system can save considerable administration time. Many applications and pieces of software have what’s called an API – think of it as a way for a website and another system(s) to have both one-way and two-way communication with each other. Common integrations are:
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Warehouse systems: Enabling orders placed online to be sent to the warehouse system automatically.
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Stock control systems: Allowing for real-time stock levels and automatic unpublishing of products as they go out of stock.
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Email subscription lists: On request, users are automatically added to a mailing list.
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Accounts software: For the automatic creation of invoices, revenue reports etc.
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Finance providers: Users can apply for credit on their order with the website knowing the order is paid for if accepted for credit.
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Customer relationship management (CRM) systems: User's details and behaviours can be added automatically.
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Delivery options: Presenting users with real-time prices for delivery as well as delivery slots/times.
4. Duplication
Summing up the previous two points, anything your business is doing, the website can do for you. By integrating and automating processes, you and your team can spend the saved time driving the business forward, making more sales or perhaps negating the need to hire that extra pair of hands. For example, rather than having to print off an order, manually enter it into the warehouse and/or accounts system, and then update the stock system, it's all done simultaneously when the customer places an order online.
The purpose of this article isn’t to persuade you to buy a bespoke website; you may not need it. But have an honest and serious think about whether your business might benefit from it.
