Need a Website? It Pays to Hire a Web Designer
You should never judge a book by its cover--that's been said countless times. But 75% of people--or three in four--do just that by evaluating websites based on design aesthetics.
The same source adds that 50% of website visitors say that they primarily judge a company’s credibility by the way it looks. People won't buy products or services from companies they don't deem credible. In fact, they won’t stick around long enough to do so. So, if your business either needs a new website or an overhaul of an existing site, you must get it right the first time around.
Even if you're part of the 64% of small businesses with a website, that's not enough. It needs to attract people, convince them to initiate and complete transactions, and encourage them to become repeat clients. That calls for the help of a professional web designer.
Sure, you’ll save money upfront with a DIY project. And that might seem like an attractive option if you’re bootstrapping your enterprise and don’t have a big budget. But considering that you stand to lose business if your site doesn’t resonate with consumers, it pays to hire an expert. The pros know the ins and outs of creating a site that’ll stand out online for the right reasons.
Here’s a look at five reasons hiring a professional web designer beats building your own website.
1. Custom Design
When it comes to web design, one size fits…one. Hiring a web design agency means you’ll get a customized site to suit your business requirements. The web designer will find out what you're looking for in a website, learn about your products and services, figure out the value proposition you offer consumers, and then custom-build your website from the ground up.
It’s also important to choose the right type of website. There are, for instance, blog websites, e-commerce websites, portfolio websites, and more. Do you know which one is the best fit for your company, its products, and its services? If not, there's no need to worry. A web design company will explain your options and help you make an informed choice.
While working with a web design agency, you might also need help from a web developer. While the former is more concerned with the creative aspect of website design, the latter is more concerned with the technical side of website design. Both are important. Many web design agencies also offer web development services. When choosing a web development company, ask if it can also assist with web design. You’ll get what you need under one roof.
2. Get the Newest Tech
Another reason it makes sense to hire a web design agency rather than DIY is because you’ll have access to the latest technology. HTML and CSS (News - Alert) are foundational technologies for creating web pages. But there are also options like JavaScript Frameworks, Chatbots, Dynamic Web Applications, Movement User Interface Design, and many more. A web design agency will help you choose the right tech for your website since some options will be better than others. Overloading your site with tech will reduce loading speed, so you’ll want a balanced approach.
3. Visual Appeal
You can also count on a web design agency to create a visually appealing website. It will use graphics, fonts, and colors to ensure that visitors want to use your site. The agency will also make your website easy to navigate so that people find the information they require. Your website needs to be intuitive, and it will be with a proper layout and navigation elements. Remember that aesthetic appeal matters on the internet. If your site is unappealing, visitors won’t stay around long enough to discover how great your products and services are.
4. Search Engine Optimization
When people search online for a company in your line of business, will your company’s website be high up on the first page of search query results? If your search engine optimization isn’t on point, the answer is “no.” Web design agencies also offer SEO assistance. Understanding search engine algorithms, the web design firm you hire will create strategies so that people easily find your website. Otherwise, consumers may never know that your business even exists. When you find the right service provider, you’ll see traffic to your website skyrocket.
5. Tech Support
Hiring a web design agency is also about getting the tech support you’ll need. If you build your own website, you’ll be on your own if something goes wrong. But retaining the services of a web design firm will ensure you have someone to turn to if something goes wrong. Websites need ongoing maintenance to function correctly and limit downtime. When your site is offline, customers can’t find the information they need to buy the product and services they want. You’ll save yourself a world of frustration and stress if you have reliable tech support.
The web design agency you hire will also ensure your site stays up to date. If there’s no customer care after the website has been built, your site will quickly grow stale. It needs to remain fresh and relevant, which means implementing new technologies and making changes. It’s the sort of help you won’t have access to if you build a website yourself.
As you can see from these 5 points, it makes sense to hire a web design agency. Your website is your company’s online storefront. You’ll want to make it as appealing and valuable as possible--just like you would with a brick-and-mortar retail outlet. The consumers who fit your demographic will judge based on what your website looks like--there’s no doubt about it. Simply having a website for your small business isn’t enough. The majority of companies do as well. What you need is to have a professional website that draws in visitors.
Since so much is at stake, it makes sense to at least explore the benefits of getting a professionally designed website. A DIY site likely won’t have the aesthetic appeal or the functionality of a professionally made website. A reputable web design agency can also provide web development services as needed, which means you’ll be able to get everything you need from one service provider.
