Website Development & Design Myths

Due to the unceasing efforts of some unscrupulous advertisers, the ongoing development and growth of the Internet, and human ingenuity, there are many misconceptions about Internet marketing. These misconceptions, or myths as I prefer, hinder the general understanding and use of the Internet as a marketing medium.

For example:

Myth # 1
Build a Website, Get Rich, Retire Tomorrow.
Early in the Internet experience, it seemed many businesses and individuals believed that simply having a website was adequate to be successful.

I think this was particularly promulgated by the numerous "quick build" website developers. By using templates etc they offered "high-quality" websites for ridiculously low prices (I remember being solicited by one such firm offering a "professionally designed" website for only $199.)

Myth # 2
Build It And They Will Come.
This myth is a corollary to Myth #1 and takes its name from a wonderful baseball movie – all you have to do is build a website and traffic will flock to it. Who needs promotions? Simply get online with a website and the traffic will find you. Again you can retire tomorrow with all the money you make.

Need we say that this isn’t real world, but it is amazing that many website owners seem to believe it. They may not say it, but when they spend a lot of money on their website, and very little on promoting their website, they clearly are living it.

Myth # 3
Buy A Database Of Email Names, A Cheap Email Broadcast Program, And You Can Market Your Product Successfully Online.
I am not sure if this ever worked, but it certainly doesn’t work now. Yet I constantly see advertisements for products like this (usually via spam, which at least shows that these promoters believe in their own product.)

I do wonder though how many unsuspecting website owners have lost their ISP or hosting companies from believing this Myth.