Introduction To My Story: Building a Better Online Presence for Businesses
13 Years Ago I launched my business as an online ad agency, specializing in running ads on social media and online platforms ie display ads on RTB (Real Time Bidding) platforms inc Google Display ads. With a background in professional copywriting and ad design, I have an HND in Advertising & PR from Central College Of Commerce in Glasgow and worked for the daily national press for 25 years inc 12 years at The Daily Mail. When I was made redundant I took the next step in my career by launching my own brand business my name is Corrie-Dee Whaite my name has been in newspapers as a contact for advertising in the national press for years so I wanted to use my personal brand name hence – Corrie D Marketing.
I have always created the copy (also known as text) for the ads and the style, colours, fonts using Desk Top Publishing back in the day or collaborated with graphic designers to create compelling ad copy that converts.
However, after launching my Social Media agency my journey took an unexpected turn when I realized that my clients needed more than just ads—they needed effective landing pages on their website to support their online ad campaigns.
The Initial Challenge
When discussing online ad campaigns and social media ads with clients, it became evident that many were dissatisfied with their websites or lacked suitable landing pages. A website is essentially a massive advert on Google and other search engines, and the ultimate goal is to attract your target audience. A website without targeted traffic is like a bed-and-breakfast that no one knows about—it’s just a house! Because without guests you don’t have a B&B.
Lessons Learned
If you think of your website as a house, it needs a foundation, which in this case is hosting. You rent space on a server to host your website, just as you rent land to build a house. Similarly, your website needs an address, known as a URL (e.g., www.corriedmarketing.co.uk), so people can find it.
Building a website is akin to constructing a car, comprising three main sections: aesthetics and design, the dashboard and interior, and the engine. Unfortunately, some websites focus solely on design, neglecting functionality and performance. This was a painful and expensive lesson I learned early on.
The Website Development Journey
Initially, I sought a local WordPress developer in Ayrshire who I thought could understand my vision. I mistakenly hired a company that promised great design but failed to deliver on functionality. They assured me that my site was mobile-responsive—it wasn’t. It received no traffic and couldn’t be found online, a common issue for new sites without running ads.
After 12 months, the same problems persisted. The web designer quoted an exorbitant fee to update testimonials on my site. The website, though newly commissioned, was expensive and outdated. It lacked a content management system (CMS), making it difficult for me to update it myself.
Building a Future-Proof Solution
From these challenges, I learned the importance of having a website that not only looks good but is also functional and user-friendly. A good website needs a robust CMS so that updates can be made easily. It should have a well-optimized landing page and be search engine optimized (SEO) to attract and retain visitors.
Realizing the need for a reliable and functional website, I assembled my own team of website designers and developers who specialize in creating CMS websites. We are passionate about helping businesses future-proof their online presence, ensuring that their websites can grow alongside their businesses.
Conclusion
My initial experiences taught me valuable lessons about the importance of a well-rounded website. It’s not just about aesthetics but also about ease of use and functionality. This is why I am dedicated to providing comprehensive website solutions that include SEO and user-friendly CMS. Avoiding the pitfalls I encountered, I now help businesses build effective websites that attract and engage their target audiences.
If you’re facing similar challenges, know that you’re not alone. We’re here to help you create a website that not only looks great but performs exceptionally well in today’s competitive online landscape. Contact Corrie-Dee Whaite info@corriedmarketing.co.uk or complete the CONTACT US form on our website CLICK HERE GET Ready TO Rock your business!
