How To Know When To Invest In Professional Web Design
We all know that websites are important for small business owners, and we love to make them! But it’s hard to know when’s the right time to invest in professional web design, especially if you are a new business or don’t have a big budget. We say that having a website, whether DIY or professional, is better than not having a website at all, but you also don’t want a website that turns people away from your business and has the opposite effect you want it to! A well-designed website is so important for your business’ success. We’re going to break down exactly why professional design matters, and how to know when you should take the step to invest!
The DIY vs. Professional Design Debate
It’s no secret that DIY design tools like Canva have taken the design and social media world by storm recently. There are also tons of website platforms that have easy to use tools and templates to help you build a basic website. So why would someone invest in professional design with all of these low-cost tools around? Because professional design saves you time, stress, and potentially income! It’s hard to cover all of the web design bases when you’re not a web designer, and there’s no shame in that! DIY design can create frustration, and a confused user experience.
Why Professional Web Design Matters
If you’ve DIYed your website, there are lots of things you can potentially miss out on! I’ve seen websites with a shop but no working checkout, websites with confusing navigation, and websites that aren’t very legible due to colour contrast and font selection. There are also other factors like accessibility and SEO (search engine optimization) that come into play. Why does professional web design matter?
It’s your potential customer or client’s first impression of your brand. If your site doesn’t look like your other social media channels, or even like your physical product packaging, you could confuse your audience. Your website establishes your brand credibility and is such an important aspect of your business. Professional design also gives the user a better website experience as web designers have background in UX and UI (user experience, user interface). This can lead to higher conversions, and more sales! The easier it is for customers to find what they’re looking for, the more likely they are to buy, and return to the site! Professional design matters especially if you’re looking to grow and scale your business in the future.
Signs You Should Invest in Professional Web Design
Your Current Website Isn’t Performing
Whether its slow, has poor UX (user experience), or bad SEO, sometimes business owners don’t even know the issues that are affecting the performance of their website! If you’re unhappy with how your website is functioning, it may be time to look into professional services, or a website audit.
You’re Embarrassed To Share Your Website
You should want to show off your website to everyone you meet! If you’re hesitant to hand out your business card, or just always direct people to your Instagram, it may be time to think about why. You may have spent many hours putting it together, and now you’re frustrated that its not looking the way you want it to. This is a sign that you may need some outside help!
You Need Custom Features
If your website needs an e-commerce addition, a members section, or other complex integrations, it may be time to invest in a website overhaul to get a professional to make sure everything is set up properly! Depending on where your website is hosted, these things can get a bit complicated!
You’re Scaling & Need A Web Design Contact You Can Rely On
If you’re planning to scale your business and grow in the coming years, it’s great to establish a connection with a web designer that you can rely on and support going forward. Usually, the web designer connection begins with a full website re-design, and can continue on a project-by-project basis, or on a monthly retainer system. If you’re at a point in your business where you are financially able to delegate the task of web design, we recommend investing in professional web design!
The Hidden Costs of DIY Web Design
Sometimes, DIY design can end up costing you more than a professional designer— not up front of course, but in the long run.
Some of these hidden costs can include:
Lost Time: The more time you spend on trying to figure out a web platform, the less time you have to spend on the parts of your business that you love. As business owners, we know that time is money, so you want to make sure you’re optimizing your time!
Poor Performance: Lots of DIY design projects don’t consider things like accessibility, SEO titles, descriptions, heading tag structure, and more. There is a lot that goes into getting your business found on Google, and sometimes, it’s hard for non-web designers to check all of those boxes. Things like site optimization and speed also play into this
Missed Opportunities & Lost Business: I’ve recently heard from a client that they didn’t know where their contact form submissions were going, and that anyone who filled out the form wasn’t getting a reply. That’s definitely not great for business! Things like this impact your reputation and credibility. Sometimes, a DIY website isn’t set up in the most user friendly way and some people get frustrated and leave the site when they can’t navigate it easily.
When DIY Might Be an Option
We know, we know… we’ve talked a lot about the bad side of DIY, but trust us. We are here to empower you and help you along the DIY journey— you don’t have to do this alone! Having a web designer to answer your questions can be extremely helpful, and that’s why we’re here. If you’ve designed a site that you’re starting to like but want to learn more about what you can do better technically, I’d recommend checking out our Website Workshop audit where we can chat about all things DIY and give you streamlined next steps!
DIY Websites may be an option in different situations. Like we said earlier, having a website is better than not having a website. Things like temporary sites, or short one-page/landing pages for new businesses can be suitable for DIY design, with the intention to either get a professional audit or design service in the future. Startups or new companies with extreme budget limits may also turn to DIY for a website, but it’s always important to remember that your website is the face of your business. It may not be the most important thing, but it’s what people see first and remember you by.
Consider starting your DIY site on a platform that can grow with your business, so if you do decide its time to invest in professional design, your web designer can stick with the same platform!
How To Choose The Right Professional Web Designer For Your Business
There are so many different web designers out there, so it’s important to pick one that you feel comfortable and happy with! After all, you will be making a decent sized investment into your website, so feeling supported by your designer is a must.
When looking for a designer or an agency to work with, there are some things to consider. Smaller design businesses or solo designers tend to have more of a personal relationship with you, while agencies work together in a team environment and things may have to be approved through many people on their end. Usually, most designers and agencies book a few months out for larger projects, so be sure to reach out early, and don’t expect anything to start immediately!
It’s also important to understand the professional web designer’s style! Lots of design business have a distinct style or aesthetic, while others do more of everything. It’s important to review your potential designer’s portfolio to see if you like their work. Reach out to some designers local to you that you love and inquire or book a call! Sometimes you really need to chat with someone before making that big decision!
Your Website Is Your 24/7 Advertisement. Make It Count!
Overall, it’s important to know that your website is a business asset, not just an expense. Investing in professional web design truly has the ability to transform your business and reach a whole new audience online. Are you ready for professional web design? Feel free to check out our web design and development services and connect with us!
