In today's digitally driven age, having a strong online presence is essential for any business to succeed. One of the most crucial aspects of a business's online presence is its website. A well-designed website can attract and retain customers, generate leads, and ultimately increase revenue. Website design and hosting services are often considered expensive by small business owners, however engaging a web development professional can often save you money in the long run. If you choose to cut costs by opting for DIY web design there are some considerations you should be aware of.
Your Web Design And Development Skill Level Vs A Professional
Professional web designers have years of experience in the field and possess the expertise needed to create a visually appealing and user-friendly website. Some factors that we are experts in that you might not be aware of: We understand the latest design trends and also when to use them. A colourful graduated background might be perfect for a hairdressing business, but totally unsuitable for an engineering company. Web Design professionals also know-how to build your website optimized for search engines, We can create a responsive design that looks great on any device & we can ensure that your website meets Google speed tests - and passes. DIY web design tools may be easy to use, but they lack the depth of knowledge and experience that a professional web designer brings to the table.
Pricing that ends up more than you expect to get the customisation you need
DIY web design tools are built to accommodate a wide range of users, meaning that customization options are often limited. Web platforms are designed to make money too and usually the pricing tiers are set around extra options that you will most likely need for your website. Hosting might start at $9.95 per month, however to get all the tools you need you might end up paying $75 per month. Businesses that opt for DIY web design may find themselves restricted by the limitations of the tool they are using and end up having to pay for the highest plan to do what they want.
Unnecessary Website Bloat for Mobile Website Speed
Google's main focus these days is speed. With over 70% of most website visits now being from a mobile device that is where they start. All websites are assessed as "mobile first" now and having your mobile version display well and quickly is essential to keep your visitors happy. Because a large web platform provider has to accommodate millions of users, often the load times are longer and the actual loaded info is much larger than it needs to be. A professional developer will construct your website from a mobile first point of view, ensuring that load speed is minimised as much as possible.
Time Constraints
Designing a website is a time-consuming process that requires a significant amount of effort. DIY web design may seem like a cost-effective solution, but it makes way more sense to spend your valuable time on what you are good at and let someone who will be heaps faster do the work. Professional web designers have the skills and experience to design a website quickly and efficiently, freeing up your time to focus on other aspects of your business.
Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for any business that wants to rank highly in search engine results pages. Designing a website is based around expectations of search engines (like it or not) and designing you website to make it pretty might result in a huge loss of traffic. Ensuring that your website is visible to potential customers isn't the main consideration any longer. Web Design is based around reflecting your business identity WHILE having a layout that is attractive to the search engines. DIY web design tools may offer some basic SEO features, but they lack the sophistication and depth of knowledge that a professional web designer brings to the table. Along with using your keywords and phrases, positioning & image optimisation must be perfect to ensure you have a chance at competing with your opposition.
Design Professionalism
Your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. A poorly designed website can give the impression that your business is unprofessional and untrustworthy. A professional web designer can create a website that reflects the professionalism and quality of your business, while displaying your business personality at the same time. This will make a massive difference in helping you to attract and retain customers.
In conclusion, while DIY web design may seem like a cost-effective solution, it may not be enough for your business's online success. By hiring a professional web designer, you can ensure that your website is visually appealing, user-friendly, customized, optimized for search engines, and professional-looking. Investing in a professional web designer can ultimately save you time, money, and improve your online presence.
