There is a lot of hype about do-it-yourself websites. What earns them their brownie points is a highly-intuitive user interface with a minimal learning curve. To add, the predesigned, customizable templates and layouts allow a person with hardly any technical expertise to create a near-perfect website in a matter of minutes. And, of course we cannot forget the low cost, a major saving for a small business.
But then, what we need to ask is does such a website match the standards of a business website?
No. Every business is different and therefore needs a website that will reflect it. After all, it acts as your first point of contact with your customers. This article discusses the reasons you should let a professional build your small business website.
1. Neat and clean design –
To repeat, your website is the identity of your business. Whatever design you settle for, it should boost functionality and not affect performance.
The design should be simple yet one that will catch the eye. The layout should be simple and clutter-free. Important functions should be placed in strategic locations and should be easy-to-find for customers. The content should be concise and relevant.
Only a professional designer, owing to his skill and training, will be able to integrate your company’s core values into the design. They also keep user-experience in mind.
2. Search Engine Optimization and Marketing –
The secret to getting to the top ranks of Google, Yahoo, Bing and other search engines lies in the keywords you use. However, it’s all about words because search engines use algorithms, which only an SEO expert can decipher.
Most professional web design companies work with SEO experts who handle the content bit for you. They will guide you on using the most-searched keywords and key phrases, structuring titles, creating authentic backlinks and anchor texts etc. SEO is important because unless you are found, people won’t reach out to you.
3. Technicalities –
How your website performs in real-time depends on the infrastructure on which it is based. You must have, in your personal web surfing experience come across sites that won’t load or take forever to load. It puts you off.
When you hand over to a professional website designer, they will look after technical maintenance and software updates; thus, they make sure your site is up and running all the time. They take special care to see that the security of the site is not compromised through hacking. They also optimize your website for different viewing platforms. They even backup your website. They are up-to-date on the latest technology, so your business won’t miss out on anything.
4. Performance analytics –
Want to know how your website is performing? Professional website designers use analytic tools to gather valuable information such as most viewed pages, customer behavior, purchase trends, highest grossing ads, clicks from Google search. This information can be used to improve website experience as well as business performance.
So, hire the services of a professional web designer and give your small business the potential to grow. It might cost you a little more, but it is still worth every penny spent.