A R500 Million Fund. A Broken Website. Who Loses? The Entrepreneur.
The South African government recently launched a R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund to uplift township-based businesses. But when you visit the official site? Broken “Apply Now” links. Bad design. Terrible spacing. Confusing flow.
This isn’t just a design fail. It’s a barrier to access.
Let’s talk about what’s expected from designers and what clients MUST inspect before approving any website — especially when real livelihoods are on the line.
Site Link: Spaza Shop Fund – Funding for spaza shops
What Good Designers Should Deliver
Professional web designers must follow industry best practices to ensure websites are:
- Functional – All buttons and links must work
- Responsive – It must work well on both mobile and desktop
- Fast – Slow-loading sites push users away
- Accessible – Easy to read, navigate, and understand
- SEO-Ready – So it shows up in Google searches
- User-Friendly – Clear navigation and smooth experience
If any of this is missing, the site doesn’t just look bad — it fails to serve its purpose.
What Clients Must Inspect Before Signing Off
Too often, websites are approved by clients who don’t know what to check. Here’s a basic checklist every business or department should go through:
- Test every link – “Apply Now” buttons, contact forms, menus
- View on different devices – Does it look right on mobile?
- Navigate the site as a user – Is it easy to find key info?
- Check spelling, spacing, layout – Look for professionalism
- Search engine visibility – Can it be found on Google?
A site isn’t just a digital flyer — it’s your first impression and a critical tool to reach the people who need you.
Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs
When websites offering government support are poorly built, it makes it harder for entrepreneurs — the very people these funds are meant to help — to apply, learn more, or take action.
We can’t afford bad design when the stakes are so high.
