September 20, 2024
If you’re on the fence as to whether you should pay for a custom designed website, or try and create something yourself then you’re not alone. A lot of business owners think that by designing their websites themselves, they can gain more control over the creative process. They also feel as though they can get the job done for half the price. On the flip side, hiring a specialist web design agency gives you access to more features with a faster launch and enhanced user experience.
Want to find out more? Keep reading.
A web design agency can easily create a unique website that reflects the heart and soul of your brand. They can reflect your brand identity while taking the time to understand your unique selling propositions. By taking information like this, they can make sure that your site aligns with your identity, using the right imagery, typography, layout and colour scheme to resonate with your target audience.
Depending on what sector you work in, you may find that you need advanced features such as databases, custom integrations, interactive forms and eCommerce support. A professional website designer can integrate things like this seamlessly, using third-party tools and their technical expertise to ensure that your site is functional and usable from the get-go.
As your company grows, your site should grow with it. Specialist agencies make sites with this in mind. They can create a foundation that allows for future expansion, with the option of adding or integrating new features as and when you need them.
Something you probably wouldn’t think about if you were designing your own site is how accessible your site is for people with disabilities. Hiring someone to think about these details is another great reason to use a professional agency. This insightful article on the importance of web accessibility explains why it’s so important. (courtesy of Creative Brand Design: https://www.cbwebsitedesign.co.uk/)
Hiring a professional is more expensive than going at it alone. If you have a tight budget, this can be problematic, but you should see it as an investment in your future rather than a big expense.
When you hire a professional website designer, you may be charged for things like maintenance, security and updates, so you’ll need to account for costs such as these.
You need to be able to communicate your vision, expecting back-and-forth communication. This can slow down the speed at which you're able to make decisions.
One of the biggest advantages to designing your site yourself is that you can take advantage of various cost savings. CMS systems, including WordPress and Wix both have free templates for you to choose from.
When designing your site yourself, you have full control over it. You can make changes or updates whenever you want, without having to rely on someone else to do it for you.
As a business owner, creating your site can provide you with a valuable learning experience. It allows you to see how websites work, and it can also teach you how to manage your online presence more effectively.
Your brand is very unique, so your website should reflect this. DIY templates are often restrictive, offering limited colour schemes, set typography choices and poor design. As a result of this, you may have to compromise when creating a design that matches the identity of your website.
DIY platforms don’t tend to support advanced functionalities and this can make it difficult for you to create a site that serves a purpose, such as booking online, running an eCommerce site or even completing forms.
So many people use DIY templates so your audience may recognise your site from elsewhere. This can result in it being harder for your brand to stand out and you may even find that it compromises the trust that your users have in your business.
There are both pros and cons to either option, and ultimately which option you go for is up to you, but if you want to get the best result, and have the budget to do so, then hiring a custom designer is always the best choice, as the long-term benefits outweigh any cost concerns that you may have.
