A strong online presence for your business is critical if you want to compete in today’s marketplace. Most entrepreneurs know this, yet 46% of small businesses in America still don’t have a website.
Some of these businesses may not have the budget and some just haven’t gotten around to it. Regardless of the reason, if you don’t have a web presence, it’s time to bite the bullet and get one.
Many businesses are now opting to create their own website in-house. While this may seem like a great way to save money, you may not be happy with the long-term results.
If you’re weighing the options of hiring a website designer vs. creating a website yourself, keep reading. We’re going over some things you need to consider.
Hiring a Website Designer Means Full Customization
There are now many website creation services available for people who want to build a site on their own. They’re affordable and relatively easy to use.
However, when using one of these services, you’re simply modifying a template. This means you’re extremely limited with regard to customization.
On the other hand, when you hire a developer, you get a site built from the bottom up. This means it’s fully customized to give you exactly what you want.
Your logo will be custom made by a graphic designer and you can maximize the functionality you’re providing visitors. This is important for businesses that need to sell products online or interact with customers via chatbots.
Consider Your Budget
For many small businesses, money is at the heart of their decision to hire a developer or build a website themselves.
If your business simply can’t afford to finance the development of a custom-built site, you may want to consider using a website creator. These services are relatively affordable and quick.
It’s important to keep in mind that you won’t get the customization and functionality you’ll get from a web designer. Your website also won’t look like the vision you have in your head.
However, using a DIY website creator will provide you with something until you have the funds to have a custom site built.
There are also other services available that can help you build your brand yourself. For instance, using Introbrand will allow you to create logo animation videos on your own.
When you’re in a bind and need an online presence immediately, doing the job in-house with a website creator service may be your best bet.
SEO Strength
Your new website isn’t doing much good if nobody can find it. If you want to compete in your industry, your site must contain strong Search Engine Optimization elements.
Simply put, SEO is a set of techniques that improve a website’s ability to get found by search engines. Developers are aware of these techniques and will ensure they get implemented while building your site.
These techniques include proper coding, image tagging, keyword phrases and more. The great thing about working with a professional developer is that you don’t have to worry about educating yourself on this. They’ll take care of it for you.
It’s important to note that using an online website creator doesn’t mean you won’t ever get found. However, these services don’t allow you to fully maximize your SEO strength like a custom-built site does.
Speed and Functionality
Today, web users don’t tolerate slow sites. If your website doesn’t react quickly, you risk your visitors clicking away and going to one of your competitors.
Furthermore, if your website uses web forms, online checkout features or videos, they must consistently function well. Hiring web developers ensures that everything gets coded properly and that load times are as quick as possible.
A web developer will know what plugins to use and how to properly integrate the features you need. When creating a website on your own, you can’t be certain it will always provide a good user experience.
In addition, when something goes wrong, having a web developer at your disposal is invaluable. Without one, you risk losing potential customers while you scramble to find a solution.
How Much Time Do You Have?
Time is money, especially for smaller businesses. One of the biggest advantages for hiring a professional to build your site is the time you’ll save.
Trying to build your site in-house means either you or your staff will have to devote lots of time to the site. This takes away from time spent performing tasks essential to daily business operations.
When working with a developer, you pass the responsibility over to someone whose sole job is creating high-quality sites. This not only saves time, it provides you with peace of mind.
A professional developer will also be able to streamline the efficiency of your operations through the website itself. They’ll be able to implement contact forms, chat functionality or e-commerce portals that take some of the workload off your staff.
Your Business Reputation
Today, businesses grow their reputation online. They do this through digital marketing strategies, branding initiatives, and interaction through social media.
Your website has a lot to do with the perception people have of your business. The best way to enhance this perception is with a fully-customized site that provides users with a memorable experience.
To do this, you simply must use a professional designer. They have the knowledge and experience to not only build a highly-functional site, they also know how to effectively weave your brand throughout the website.
If a user has a poor experience on your site, your reputation is compromised. Trusting a web developer is the best way to avoid this.
Create a High-Quality Site and Reap the Benefits
The importance of a strong online presence can’t be ignored. You owe it to the future of your business to build a great-looking, highly functional site to convert new clients.
Creating a website on your own may be your only option while your strengthen your marketing budget. However, hiring a website designer is crucial for providing a site that truly grows your business.
For more articles that will help you market your business effectively, check out our blog today.