6 Things to Know Before Hiring a Fractional Chief Web Officer

A non-technical CEO, let’s call them Alex, walks into a bar. They’re the visionary behind a promising startup, with a brilliant idea, a solid business plan, and a strong product-market fit. They’ve even secured some initial funding. 

However, Alex’s expertise lies in sales and relationship building, not in the intricacies of web development. They realize that their lack of technical expertise is becoming a bottleneck. They need someone who can bridge the gap between the business vision and the web-based needs of the company.

Sound familiar?

For modern businesses, a strong web presence isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have. But hiring a full-time Chief Web Officer (CWO) might not be feasible for every company. That’s where the power of a fractional CWO comes in. 

Here’s what to know about fractional CWOs before you hire for this role, so you can navigate these challenges without having to become a tech expert yourself.

1. What is a fractional Chief Web Officer?

A fractional Chief Web Officer is a web expert who can help you get technical solutions up and running quickly. Fractional CWOs bring the strategic thinking and technical expertise of a full-time employee, but without the hefty price tag, long-term commitment, or biases of regular employees.

They work with your company on a part-time, contract basis and can be a valuable supplement to a Chief Technical Officer – or fill the role entirely. 

Beyond web-related subject matter expertise, these hires are also skilled at quickly integrating into your team, understanding your business goals, and providing specific, actionable solutions to improve your online presence.

2. What does a fractional CWO do?

The fractional CWO’s work can be both strategic or tactical, integrative to other business functions or solely focused on the website. 

A fractional CWO partners with the CEO to drive strategic web initiatives, like:

• Evaluating how web technologies can improve operational efficiency across other departments.
• Overseeing any web-related technical heavy lifting, like choosing the right platform, managing updates, and ensuring website security. They have informed opinions, too, such as “Turn to WPEngine for web hosting—not GoDaddy.”
• Leveraging E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) principles to improve the user experience, conversion rates, search engine rankings, and overall site visibility.
• Allocating the budget for maximum impact on your online presence. This includes prioritizing investments and tracking ROI.
• Avoiding costly mistakes in web development.
• Developing a content strategy and managing content creation, with a strong understanding of the difference between web content and copy.
• Aligning the website with your overall business objectives such as brand building and revenue growth.

3. Why hire a fractional Chief Web Officer?

A fractional CWO provides access to high-level expertise at a fraction of the cost. It’s an extremely flexible arrangement that allows you to scale services up or down as your business evolves. For instance, you can hire a fractional CWO for a specific project, a set number of hours per month, or on an as-needed basis. 

Because they’re experienced and focused, fractional CWOs can quickly identify opportunities and implement solutions, leading to faster results. And perhaps most importantly, a fractional CWO can save you time and energy. By outsourcing your web strategy, you can free up your schedule to focus on your core business operations—where your business needs you most.

4. Who needs a fractional CWO?

Fractional CWOs offer significant value to a range of businesses.

Startups and small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) who lack the resources for a full-time hire – but still need a robust online presence to attract customers or investors – will benefit the most from the expertise and strategic guidance provided by a fractional CWO.

Larger companies can also benefit from this hire for specialized projects or to provide an objective, external perspective.

Companies experiencing rapid growth, launching new products or services, or navigating a digital transformation can leverage a fractional CWO to successfully manage these transitions. Even freelancers looking to scale their referral pool will benefit from the strategic input of a fractional CWO.

5. What are the core skills of a CWO?

To better understand the role, here’s an overview of what CWOs bring to the table, whether full-time or fractional.

Strategy and leadership

A CWO must be able to align web initiatives with overall business goals, develop long-term digital roadmaps, and identify opportunities for online growth. CWOs often lead teams of web developers, designers, marketers, and content creators and need strong leadership skills to motivate, manage, and mentor.

CWOs need to be able to manage budgets, analyze ROI, and make data-driven decisions about resource allocation.

Technical proficiency

A CWO should have a strong understanding of web technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc., as well as e-commerce platforms and content management systems like WordPress. They should be knowledgeable about security best practices, website optimization techniques, and performance monitoring, and be familiar with data analytics platforms like Google Analytics.

Marketing and content

CWOs should have a strong understanding of SEO best practices, keyword research, link building, and technical SEO. If a business has an e-commerce component, the CWO should have expertise in online sales, lead generation, conversion optimization, and platforms like Shopify.

6. How to choose the right fractional CWO

When shopping around for a fractional CWO, consider factors like:

• Experience: Look for a CWO with a proven track record of success in your industry or niche. If they say they are for everyone, that’s not a great sign. 
• Expertise: Check out the CWO’s qualifications and experience, and compare them to your goals. Ensure they have the specific skills, certifications, or knowledge you need, whether it’s website development, SEO, content marketing, or something else. For instance, don’t hire a Squarespace expert if you want to build your site in WordPress.
• Communication style and cultural fit: Choose a CWO who you click with, who is a clear and effective communicator, and who fits in with your company culture and values.
• References: Ask for references from previous clients to vet potential options. Focus on results, consistency, and collaboration style when soliciting first-hand feedback. A good fractional CWO will be transparent about their experience.

Ready to explore how a fractional CWO can fast-track and strengthen your online presence? Our Fractional CWO services help turn your website into a revenue-generating asset. Learn more about our services or sign up for a free consultation.