700, 701, 702, 70…oh sorry, I didn’t see you there. Let me just put these heavy weights down before I continue. You like my biceps? No need to blush. I don’t mind you staring. How did I do it? It was actually my
personal trainer who gave me a new program to follow. It’s been turning a lot of heads. But enough about my chiseled features. You came to read about web designers, right?
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Form is EVERYTHING.[/caption]
I wrote
earlier about the rising popularity of website builders, and why you may consider using one to create your personal or company site. The ease, speed, and cost of using these services are clear, but similar to designing your own weightlifting program, it may not be the most effective way to go about building the ideal aesthetic you want. Turning to a professional for help can put you light years ahead of where you’d be if you were to go it alone. There’s no shame in turning to someone with more experience for his or her know-how.
So squat down, (keep your form tight) and check out a few advantages to using a mighty
web designer to create and lift up your site.
Your Brand Will Be Consistent
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'SO......MANY.......COLOURS!!'[/caption]
A
web designer will, well, design your website. That may seem daft to say, but using a web builder yourself may not produce the same feel throughout. Not everyone has that high level vision but a good designer will see your brand as a whole, ensuring your logo, site's colour scheme and layout are unified. A web designer may also help you with business cards, letterheads, and social media images to ensure a coherent identity for your brand. A botched job would be like skipping leg day at the gym, and we all know that isn't a good idea...
You’ll Stand Apart from the Competition
Damn straight those web builders offer some beautiful templates, but guess what? You’re not the only one with access to them. That’s not a bad thing, but what if your competition likes your website and decides to copy it? It’s a curious thing that most websites look the same. Hiring a professional with a vision can lead to a design that helps you stand apart and above your competitors. Ideally that means someone who knows how to highlight your unique selling points, and doesn’t necessarily rely on flashy graphics.
Improved Search Engine Ranking
We like to think we know a bit about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) here at
Awkward Media. There are a number of important variables that determine how search engines rank websites, but having a well-designed site is the foundation upon which the other’s rest. How easily search engines can crawl your site, how fast it loads, how responsive it is, and if the HTML metadata are aligned properly to site content are a few factors that impact SEO. A professional web designer will ensure that the site architecture is optimized in a way that will maximize exposure for your beautiful site. This in turn leads to visitors who are actually prospective clients, not just people passing through.
Content and Design Will Be Aligned
As a writer, I’m of the belief that content first is the right way to approach web design. I know I’m not alone. Designers get this, web builders, well, that’s up to you. With a web builder, it may be a case of fitting a round peg in a square hole. It’ll work, but not the exactly how you intended it to. A user on your site must be able to understand what you’re saying without having to try hard. A designer will ensure that your site design is set up to clearly communicate your content, not the other way around.
It May Even Be Cheaper…
Sure, it’s a larger amount up front, but really, doing it right the first time is often the right decision. Sure, as I wrote, if you’re strapped for cash then creating a site with a web builder to generate revenue that you’ll use to hire a web designer is understandable. If you do have the money though, skipping the step of using a web builder or amateur designer will save you the money for the professional. It may be wise to approach a professionally built website not as a cost, but as a long-term investment in your success. Ultimately, you'll be happier and so will your future users.
If you have any questions about designing you website, feel free to reach out. We’ll be sure to drop the weights and get back to you quickly.
