Why you need more than a good web developer to build a high-performing website
Lead Generation | Web Design
Key takeaways
- A good web developer is only one element that goes into creating a high-performing website.
- To generate leads you need to have three elements in place – a strong brand identity, a website that’s built to warm up leads and an SEO campaign that generates traffic and authority.
- There are three types of web developers: front-end, back-end and full-stack.
- Using a digital marketing agency that takes a holistic view of digital marketing will have a better impact.
So, you’ve got a nice swanky website. Your web developer sends it live and you sit back to watch the enquiries roll in.
Except, nothing happens.
Your web developer was highly recommended, you have no doubt that her work is of excellent quality.
So, what’s gone wrong?
If you’re wondering why your website isn’t performing as it should, then your problem may not be with your web developer.
In this article, we look at web developers – what they do (and don’t do). And for those of you wanting a website that generates leads (and that should be all of you!) – why a great web developer is only one part of the solution to creating a website that turns users into leads.
What is a web developer?
A web developer is responsible for developing, and maintaining websites and web applications. They use programming languages such as PHP and JavaScript to create websites that function seamlessly on the internet.
Good web developers are in very high demand as they play a critical role in making sure that websites and web applications are secure and functional. They typically fall into 3 categories.
The 3 fundamental categories of web developers
1. Front-end
Front-end developers are responsible for designing and building the user interface…the bit in the browser that you can see. Think of a website as a restaurant for a moment. The “Front of House” is the bit where the customers come and sit, read their menus, place their orders and eat their food.
Front-end developers take the design that the web designers have created and turn it into a website that you, the user, can interact with. To do this they use a mix of languages, normally HTML, CSS and Javascript.
Front-end developers need to ensure that the website or web application designed is fully realised and gives the end user the same experience on all browsers.
2. Back-end
Back-end developers work behind the scenes and are responsible for the server, program language and database side of a website or application. If the front-end developers are a bit like the waitresses in the customer area in a restaurant, then a back-end developer is a bit like the chef who oversees and ensures that the food is cooked.
Back-end developers use programming languages like Python or PHP to build the server-side logic that powers a website’s functionality. They are responsible for site code generation and database handling.
Back-end developers are also involved in database connection and handling website security and authorisation.
Consumers don’t see the back end but they do enjoy its products in the front end!
Convert clicks to clients: The ultimate strategy to more website leads
Our free guide reveals the strategy we use for our clients to achieve long-term business growth. Interested?
3. Full-stack
Full-stack developers are responsible for both front-end and back-end development. They are fully versed in both front-end and back-end programming languages and can build a complete website from start to finish.
They are masters of all layers of this process and usually encompass web design as well. As a result, they are in high demand. An agency that offers full-stack web development is like gold dust!
Why a holistic approach works best
This is where we come to the crux of the matter.
Even if you have the best web developer in the world build your site, you cannot guarantee that you’re going to get leads through it.
No person is an island, and neither is your website.
There’s a whole lot of stuff that you’ve got to get right before your website will generate leads for your business.
Expecting a website to generate leads organically as soon as it’s built is like buying a car and thinking it will drive itself.
A great website showcases the benefits you can offer your clients, eliminates any objections that may be popping into their heads and gives them actionable steps to take. The content on the site should educate, persuade and warm up your users so that they feel convinced to make an enquiry.
In short, a website needs to be built for conversion, not just to look pretty.
We believe this so strongly, that we have baked this into our KnowShowGrow framework.
To turn your website into a lean-mean conversion machine, you need to have three elements in place:
- You must know who you are, what you’re selling and who you’re selling to.
- You must show the benefits you bring, answer objections and eliminate risk.
- You must optimise your website for search (SEO) and warm-up leads.
Only when these three things are in place, are you able to really grow your enquiry rate and your business.
Interested? Learn more about our framework.
It’s only when you look at all three elements that go into building sustainable growth that you can develop a strategy that will grow your business online.
A web developer: one part of the bigger picture
Getting a good developer is essential if you want a website that functions well, and remains secure and robust as time goes on. However, a developer is only one part of the larger picture. Using an agency that offers full-stack web development, along with SEO services will ensure that your website performs well online. After all, if a website is not generating leads, then what’s the point of it?