One of the biggest questions when you starting a new business is ‘should I hire a professional or DIY it?
Your website is the online face of your business. And if your website isn’t easy to understand, simple to use, and visually appealing, you could lose business or be out of business. These days there are so many options for DIY sites and with platforms such as Wix, Shopify, and our fave, Squarespace you will rightly have doubts about why would you need to hire a designer. This post will cover some of the important pros and cons of hiring a designer for your website.
Saving Time:
Time is money! Whether you’re techy or not, learning a new platform is hard work! One of the biggest complaints we hear from DIYers is “I didn’t know much about my need and had to change templates and redesign all over again.” On average, it takes us around 3 weeks to create a professional website and we know Squarespace like the back of our hands. Do you have the time to create a new site and also give your business the attention it needs? We take the time to develop your website, allowing you the time to do what you do best. Also, hiring a professional gives you the benefit of hiring an expert who knows successful, efficient ways to create a web site quickly.
Making it unique:
There are about millions, even billions of websites on the Internet. How are you going to make yours stand out? A professional designer is able to create a web site that is unique to your business, pleasant on the eye, have clear and easy navigation, load efficiently, and work properly in all the major browsers. We live, breathe, and work Squarespace. We know what works best and where we keep the user experience a top priority and know how to increase your website’s functionality and visibility. We have spent so much time learning about the customer experience, what they look for, where they are most likely to click first, and what makes them click away. Have you ever visited a DIY website and not known where to go first? The typical user will click away from a website that doesn’t grab their attention in seconds. Design and functionality are the most important aspect of a website and by hiring a website designer, you will ensure that your website serves its purpose.
Making it easy to use:
A professional web designer will keep your visitors in mind by making it easy for them to navigate and travel around the website without getting confused.
If you have your website designed by us, our custom design service is included. We know the importance of maintaining a strong brand identity so custom design all aspects of your website such as icons, backgrounds, and branded imagery.
Website platforms such as Wix and Squarespace also have limited fonts and styles available to their users so we use HTML and CSS to completely custom design each page, font, and image to your brand’s aesthetic.
Saves Money:
Let’s face it: your job as a business owner is to run the business. It’s not to create your company’s website, and a business owner who tries to do that is only taking valuable time and money away from the business they should be running.
However, as tempting as it might be to DIY your website, hiring a professional is such an important investment to your business. Your website is a major part of your brand, it reflects your business and is most likely the first place people will look to find what they need. We often ask people to think of it this way, a website is there to bring in more customers, a way for people to easily see your services and find the information they need. A professionally designed, well-functioning website will bring in more clients and customers to your business. Yes, it’s a big investment at first, but more cost-effective in the long run.
Making it Search Engine (SEO) friendly:
Your presence on a search engine is imperative to success in today’s market. Web designers understand how to make your website search-friendly by understanding SEO, the process of increasing the visibility of a website on search engines through an understanding of backend algorithms. SEO is a complex and specialized skill and is something DIY websites often lack. Basic SEO and an SEO guide are included in all of our website packages so you don’t have to worry about delving into that minefield!
Your website needs to be optimized to appear in the search engines, even the best-designed website is useless if it can’t be found!
Mobile Responsiveness
Why it Matters: With over half of web traffic now coming from mobile devices, having a website that looks and functions well on smartphones and tablets is essential. A professional web designer ensures that your website is mobile-responsive, meaning it adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes. DIY platforms often have limited templates that aren’t optimized for all devices.
Example: If a website isn’t mobile-friendly, users may struggle to navigate it, leading to high bounce rates. A professional ensures that all elements—such as menus, buttons, and images—resize appropriately for mobile users.
Faster Load Times
Why it Matters: Speed is a crucial factor for both user experience and SEO. Websites that load quickly reduce bounce rates and improve conversion rates. A professional designer knows how to optimize images, streamline coding, and leverage caching techniques to make your site load faster.
Example: If your website takes too long to load, visitors may leave before it even fully appears. This negatively affects your rankings in search engines like Google.
Conversion Optimization
Why it Matters: The primary goal of your website is often to turn visitors into customers, whether that’s through making a purchase, filling out a form, or signing up for a newsletter. A professional web designer can incorporate conversion rate optimization (CRO) techniques such as strategically placed calls to action (CTAs), clear navigation, and user-friendly forms.
Example: A well-designed landing page that guides visitors through a purchase or sign-up process has a much higher chance of converting visitors into paying customers.
Security Measures
Why it Matters: As cyber threats become more sophisticated, ensuring that your website is secure should be a priority. A professional web designer can implement key security features, such as SSL certificates (which encrypt data), secure payment gateways, and regular updates to protect your site from vulnerabilities.
Example: An unsecured website risks exposing customer data, which can lead to identity theft or loss of trust. A professional designer will safeguard your website with the latest security protocols.
Scalability
Why it Matters: Your business may grow, and your website should be able to scale with it. Professional designers build websites that are scalable and can grow in functionality as your business evolves. Whether you need additional pages, new features, or an expanded e-commerce platform, a custom-built site can adapt to these changes.
Example: A professional web designer ensures that as your business adds new services, products, or content, your website can be easily updated without a complete overhaul.
Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Why it Matters: Websites require ongoing maintenance to keep up with software updates, security patches, and evolving best practices. Many DIY solutions do not offer support for ongoing updates, which can leave your website vulnerable or outdated. A professional designer often provides ongoing support and can make improvements as needed.
Example: With regular maintenance, a professional ensures that your website remains functional, secure, and up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies.
Brand Cohesion
Why it Matters: Your website is a key part of your brand identity. A professional web designer will ensure that your website is consistent with your brand’s voice, values, and aesthetics. This consistency is important in building trust and credibility with your audience.
Example: A custom website designed with your brand’s color scheme, typography, and messaging helps reinforce your identity and differentiate your business from competitors.
Enhanced User Experience (UX)
Why it Matters: User experience (UX) plays a huge role in the success of your website. A professional web designer will optimize your site’s layout, navigation, and functionality to create a seamless and enjoyable experience for visitors. This reduces frustration and encourages users to spend more time on your site.
Example: If your website’s navigation is confusing or cluttered, visitors are likely to leave. A professional designer ensures smooth navigation, keeping users engaged longer.
Custom Features and Integrations
Why it Matters: If you need specific features, such as a booking system, payment gateway, or custom integrations with third-party services, a professional web designer can build and integrate these features in a way that functions smoothly with your website.
Example: For a restaurant, a booking system that integrates seamlessly with the website allows customers to reserve tables directly, improving both customer experience and operational efficiency.
Analytics and Tracking
Why it Matters: A well-designed website is not only visually appealing but also allows for analytics integration. Professional designers can set up tools like Google Analytics, so you can track visitor behavior, conversion rates, and other key performance indicators (KPIs).
Example: Analytics can reveal which pages are performing well and which need improvement, allowing you to optimize your website to better serve your audience.
Making you trustworthy :
– A good web designer will be able to find ways to convey your trustworthiness through the use of images or text. This lets site visitors know there is a real human on the other side that is worth doing business with.
Faq:
Professional Web Designer Vs DIY Platform: Why Should I Hire a Professional Web Designer?
A professional guarantees an original and tailor-made solution for your website that covers all of your corporate needs whilst saving you stress and enhancing your search engine optimisation. They can also help maintain your site to keep it secure, easy to use, and mobile-friendly.
How long to design a website professionally?
So, on average it usually takes 3 weeks for an experienced designer to construct a good, working website. This frees you to run your business while experts take care of the details.
Does hiring a professional web designer cost more?
It might sound expensive in the first place but having an expert assists in saving plenty over time by maximizing your site’s functionality functionality, SEO, and delivery maximizing conversions and, in turn, retention.
Are professional web designers good for SEO?
Yes, a professional designers do know best practices for SEO and will optimize your website to rank higher in search engines, leading to more traffic and better visibility for your site.
Well, we hope that this blog answers all of your doubts about why you should (or shouldn’t) hire a designer but if you have any other questions, please Contact Us