Why 70% of digital projects fail (and how you can succeed)

Digital transformation is a necessary step for many companies to grow. Yet, a staggering 70% of digital initiatives fall short. It’s not because the technology fails; the software usually works as promised. Where things go wrong is in the approach. Companies invest in new websites, platforms, or tools without a clear strategy, internal buy-in, or a sharp focus on their target audience. The result: digital projects that consume significant time and budget but deliver little business value. Technology can be an accelerator, but without the right preparation, it becomes a bottleneck.

How do you prevent your digital project from ending up in that 70%? By recognizing the pitfalls and learning from companies that took a different approach.
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The biggest pitfalls of digital transformation

1. No clear roadmap: Without a strategy, you’re starting blind. A beautiful design alone won’t generate leads or customers.

2. Internal resistance: When sales, marketing, and IT aren't aligned, you end up with delays, frustration, and half-finished work.

3. Unclear target audience: Companies often try to serve everyone, but as a result, no single visitor feels truly addressed.

4. Complex management: A CMS that is too complicated ensures that content quickly becomes outdated and opportunities are lost.

These four stumbling blocks explain why so many digital projects, such as developing a new website, stall. However, they also point the way to success: a clear strategy, user-centric web design, and a UX platform that works for both the customer and the internal team.
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Desmet strengthens international digital presence

Desmet is a global player in advanced technologies for the processing of oilseeds, edible oils, and agro-industrial applications. To strengthen that position and further expand their digital presence, we gave their corporate website a thorough transformation.
The goal: more lead generation, increased customer engagement, and a better visitor experience.

The challenge
The existing site did not do justice to Desmet's scale and expertise. It was too static, not conversion-oriented enough, and insufficiently tailored to an international target audience. For an innovator in their sector, that was a missed opportunity.

The approach
We started with an intense UX exercise, in which we redesigned the entire user experience. From there, we built a digital strategy that focused on:

• Lead generation: conversion-oriented pages and clear calls-to-action
• Customer engagement: storytelling that showcases Desmet's innovative power and expertise
• International visitor experience: intuitive navigation that caters to diverse markets and target audiences

The result
The new corporate website is much more than a digital business card. It is a strategic platform that strengthens relationships worldwide, generates leads, and elevates Desmet's brand perception to a higher level.

EFRAG opts for strategic digital transformation

EFRAG (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group) advises the European Commission on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and develops the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS). Their challenge: a digital presence that clearly communicates both their financial and sustainability roles, while remaining accessible to a broad international audience.

The challenge
The existing digital channels were not aligned with EFRAG's diverse target audiences: policymakers, businesses, academics, and the general public. The site was difficult to navigate and offered little guidance for visitors.

The approach
Together with EFRAG, we opted for a strategic digital transformation:

• a thorough target audience analysis
• a content structure that translates complexity into clarity
• an accessible and user-friendly interface

The result
The new website positions EFRAG as an authority in its field and ensures greater trust, better accessibility, and a stronger image for all stakeholders.

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Reynders builds a flexible & future-proof platform

For Reynders, a family business and manufacturer of labels for international markets, had a clear question: how do you build a corporate website that is as versatile and robust as the company itself?

The challenge
Their old site lacked intuitive navigation and conversion power. For a family business with global clients, that was an obstacle to growth.

The approach
We designed a Drupal website that:

• offers a unique journey for every market and product
• personalizes content for each target audience
• includes clear calls-to-action
• is easy to manage via a user-friendly back office

The result
The new website is a future-proof platform that helps both clients and internal teams move forward. Reynders now has a digital environment that supports their international ambitions and strengthens their brand identity.

The common thread: success starts with strategy and UX

Desmet, EFRAG, and Reynders differ in terms of sector, scale, and objectives. Yet their journeys have one thing in common: their digital success did not start with technology, but with strategy and UX. By sharpening the focus on the needs of their target audiences, creating internal buy-in, and building a user-friendly environment, they transformed their digital presence into a true growth engine.

What you can learn from this

• Always start with strategy and target audiences. Without a roadmap, you lack focus.
• Involve internal stakeholders from day one. Collaboration prevents delays.
• Build for customers and your own team. An intuitive UX and a manageable CMS are crucial.
• Measure and adjust. Successful digital projects are never "finished."

Digital transformation: not a sprint but a marathon
Digital transformation doesn't stop at the launch of a new website. It is a continuous process of learning, improving, and adapting to changing customer and market expectations.

The companies winning today are those that understand that digital growth is not a project with an end date, but an ongoing strategy. By investing in user experience, data, and collaboration, you build not only a stronger digital platform but also an organization that is ready for the future.

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