1851

<p>A panel of franchise industry judges evaluated 200 franchisor websites for 1851&rsquo;s annual Franchise Website Awards, finding both positives and negatives across the board. The panel of experts came up with the following &ldquo;do&rsquo;s&rdquo; when it comes to developing and improving your franchise website:</p>

<ol style="margin-left: 40px;">
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemonroerowan/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michelle Rowan</a>, President and COO of <a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franchise Business Review</a>: Focus on &quot;<a href="https://franchisebusinessreview.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What&#39;s in it for THEM</a>.&quot; Instead of talking about the features and benefits of the brand, identify what&#39;s important to your franchisees, e.g., flexibility, lifestyle, financial freedom, and how your offering can help them achieve it. Another quick fix is to replace long paragraphs of text about the brand&#39;s history with photos and videos of its evolution and current look, culture and popularity.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-beagelman-58535210/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Steve Beagelman</a>, CEO of <a href="https://smbfranchising.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span class="brand-highlight">SMB Franchise Advisors*</span></a>: <a href="http://www.smbfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Make the top menu static so that when you scroll through content, the navigation, menu and form buttons remain at the top of the screen</a>.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbingham/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Todd Bingham</a>, President of <a href="http://pinnaclefd.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pinnacle Franchise Development</a>: <a href="https://frannetcanada.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">For me, the conversion is what it is all about. The form to request more information should be easily accessible on every page and above the fold.</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/4stanfriedman?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stan Friedman</a>, President of <a href="http://www.frmsolutions.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FRM Solutions</a>: Keep your development websites current and update their look and feel. Make them inviting. No matter how many places you advertise, or promote and showcase your brand, the one place that all leads will visit before engaging directly is your public-facing franchise development website. Make it sizzle. Also, pay attention to your Google analytics and respond accordingly.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigslavin/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Craig Slavin</a>, President of <a href="https://franchisecentral.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franchise Central</a>: Turn them from being &quot;top-down&quot; (how great we are) to &quot;bottom-up&quot; (the benefits and end result of being our franchisee). Testimonial-based websites are the best because the franchisees are telling candidates how great the franchise and company are.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackmonson/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jack Monson</a>, Director of Digital Strategy at <a href="https://qiigo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Qiigo</a>: Make the sites personal by showing your development team, CEO and other corporate team members. People buy from people --&nbsp;show the brand&rsquo;s human side to prospects that are researching.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamshaidhashmi/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jamshaid Hashmi</a>, CEO &amp; President of <a href="https://clicktecs.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ClickTecs</a>: Make sure your franchise development form is easy to view and prominent and can be accessible from all pages. &nbsp;Don&rsquo;t force the user to click again to get to a form. If the ZMOT (zero moment of truth) for the user happens on a particular page, immediately capitalize on it by having the form easy to find.</li>
	<li>Kay Ainsley, Managing Director of <a href="http://www.msaworldwide.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">MSA Worldwide</a>: Put a contact box on each page and make sure the information posted is current. I totally disqualified one site because they listed the franchise events they would be attending &mdash; in 2015!</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-gerson-5159aa5/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Keith Gerson</a>, President of <a href="https://franconnect.1851franchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FranConnect</a>: <a href="http://franconnect.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Social proof is critical. Provide multi-media (video) testimonials from satisfied franchisees -- lots of them</a>. There&#39;s an old saying - &quot;Advertising, you pay for. Public relations, you pray for.&quot;</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickbatchelor/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rick Batchelor</a>, CEO of <a href="https://qiigo.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website-2703183" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Qiigo</a>: Make sure there is a strong call to action on all pages and put more focus on the prospect rather than on your own brand.</li>
</ol>

10 Common Mistakes Made by Franchisors When Creating a Franchise Development Website

1851 Franchise

Avoiding these Issues Can Help You Create a Better Performing Franchise Website

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

10-common-mistakes-made-by-franchisors-when-creating-a-franchise-development-website

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Franchisees Champion Fall Prevention To Keep Seniors Safe at Home

trublue-franchisees-champion-fall-prevention-to-keep-seniors-safe-at-home

Pet Wants

FOX Reno: Summer Pet Safety With Pet Wants of Sparks

fox-summer-pet-safety-with-pet-wants-sparks

Workout Anytime

Workout Anytime Teams Up with Viral Baseball Star Kyle “KJ” Jackson to Inspire Fitness Journeys Nationwide

workout-anytime-teams-up-with-viral-baseball-star-kyle-kj-jackson-to-inspire-fitness-journeys-nationwide

Sola Salons

1851 Franchise Deep Dive graphic with Sola Salons logo

Sola Salons Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-sola-salons-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Paris Baguette Canada

image of paris baguette cake and franchise decorations

What Canadian Franchisees Want to Know: Paris Baguette Profit Potential and Franchisee Support

paris-baguette-franchise-canada-profit-support

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

Keurig Dr Pepper Splits in $18 Billion JDE Peet’s Deal, Creating Global Coffee Giant

keurig-dr-pepper-splits-in-18-billion-jde-peets-deal-creating-global-coffee-giant

McDonald’s Rolls Out Major Value Push To Win Back Customers Amid Inflation

mcdonalds-rolls-out-major-value-push-to-win-back-customers-amid-inflation

Photo of Paris Baguette pastries and beverages 

Paris Baguette Celebrates 250th Café Opening in Frederick, Maryland, Accelerating Expansion and Reviving the Neighborhood Bakery Café

paris-baguette-250th-north-america-cafe

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth - 1851 Franchise

Restaurant Chains Open Their Wallets To Jump-Start Franchise Growth

restaurant-franchise-incentives-cash-royalty-holidays-fee-reductions

Franchise Deep Dive graphic with i9 Sports logo

i9 Sports Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

i9-sports-franchise-cost-fees-profit

911 Restoration Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

911-restoration-franchise-deep-dive

Jollibee -Launch-Story-Brand-Page-Deep-Dive-2025

Jollibee Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

jollibee-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-for-2025

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores - Agg - 1851 Franchise

Hooters Leans Into Franchising With Closure of 30 Company-Owned Stores

hooters-franchise-model-company-owned-closures

graphic image of a franchisee spotligh aman kaur of voodoo brewing

How This Trio of Friends Is Brewing Up Community With Voodoo Brewing Co. in Prosper, Texas

voodoo-brewing-franchisee-aman-kaur-prosper-texas

1851 Keyword - The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

The Secret To Succeeding With a Part-Time Franchise Is Picking the Right Model

part-time-franchises-picking-the-right-model

Hely and Hiral Patel Bring Their Longtime Dream to Life With The Brass Tap

brass-tap-franchise-pasadena-maryland-hely-hiral-patel

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Dan Ellestad and Seniors Helping Seniors logo

10 Common Mistakes Made by Franchisors When Creating a Franchise Development Website

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS