Websites and Dinosaurs
The Grind - Networking and Business Insights
Battling the demands of a business website
I recently found myself running around my neighborhood, firing a Nerf gun and saving imaginary tourists from an island of savage dinosaurs. You might be thinking: “Okay, Ceasar, what does this have to do with running a website design business?” Let’s rewind.
Twenty minutes earlier, during dinner, my ten-year-old son asked me to play outside with him in a battle for survival against pterodactyls, velociraptors, and, scariest of all, a T-rex. As a mid-50s professional, I said, “Sure,” with a good amount of unspoken hesitancy. We walked out, and immediately my son got into character. I was appointed his lieutenant, and our mission was to deliver frightened tourists to a beach where a naval vessel could whisk them away to safety. Yes, the game was on! But me? I felt awkward and completely ready for it to be over before it even began. “Fifteen minutes of play,” I thought to myself. This is going to be embarrassing.
“This is going to be embarrassing.”
When business owners ask about Matilti Web Design, some respond, somewhat embarrassed, that they have built their own website, which is usually a practical result of economics. Still, the cringeworthy tone is apparent and, like me, can feel awkward and out-of-place and not at all something I’m crazy about. Or I might get a response like, “I need to talk to you,” which usually means they are having a problem with the DIY website or need general guidance. Others tell me it took a long time to set up the website because they were incredibly busy tending to the more vital aspects of the business—selling their expertise, products, or services. Others, still, say the business is scaling in size, and it is time for the website to get a web design upgrade to reflect this new level of success and to meet the demands of business growth. The business owner wants help but is unsure where to find it or how to start, similar to my clumsy start at engaging with my son on his rescue mission.
The child’s play felt obligatory, but I knew in my mind that these kinds of moments would matter further down the line. Just as keyword research, intake forms, copywriting sessions, shooting video content, and defining a brand can feel like a burden to carry at inopportune times in a busy owner’s schedule, the work will ultimately reap benefits for a website.
I made up my mind to shake off the cloak of adulthood and get lost in creative play. I said to my son, “Okay, how many soldiers are under your command?” and he replied, “There are five of us on the rescue team.” I said, “Watch out! Here comes a pterodactyl,” and we fired into the imaginary horror-filled sky, only to watch one of his soldiers get clawed in the shoulders and flown away to his demise. We trudged on, courageously fighting off dinosaurs of different sizes and ferocity until we were only three. I yelled, “Watch out, here comes…” and his third man was chomped like a French fry in the jaws of a T-rex. “Papá, you’re killing all my men. It’s just you and me. Keep going. We’re almost there!” Instead of being that awkward adult, we spiced things up and had a good time. Likewise, with a website designer as your lieutenant, there’s a good chance you can complete your mission and enjoy it!
Get lost in creativity that makes a difference.
When my wife opened the front door to say playtime was over, the sun had set, and nighttime had taken over. We made one last charge and delivered the lost tourists to the rendezvous point with the naval ship. And there, in the glowing moonlight, as I watched sweaty beads run down his face, my son exclaimed, “Wow, that was fun! Gracias, Papá.” He was happy, and we both got something meaningful out of it.
Sign up today and let’s get creative.
