Website Builder Vs. Website Designer - Hire Or Do It Yourself
A well-designed website built using the best practices will turn those visitors into customers and attract visitors. The good news is nowadays, we have many choices when it comes to having a website designed for your local business:
1. Website Builder = DIY (Do It Yourself) = Yоu саn dо іt уоursеlf (DІY) bу lеаrnіng tо соdе оr usе а Website Builder
2. Hire a Web Designer - You can hire a web designer
Learning how to build a website from scratch will be time-intensive. Hiring a web designer may require a larger budget than planned, so free and low-cost website builder solutions such as WIX, Weebly, and Squarespace have become all the rage nowadays. The main marketing message from WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) platforms always goes with an attraction: "Create a website with no design or coding experience."
Wow. That sounds amazing, but is it really what we are looking for?
A web builder is the best alternative for local businesses with limited budgets. However, it is important to know the pros and cons of using one of these tools and whether it will serve your business goals.
Website Builder vs. Website Designer: Which Is Right for You?
Besides planning to teach yourself how to construct a website from scratch, we can also depend on many free tools in the market. Creating a website is essential for businesses and individuals aiming to establish an online presence. The big question is: should you use a website builder or hire a professional designer? Let’s explore both options to help you make the best decision.
What is a Website Builder?
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify are tools that enable you to create websites without coding skills. These platforms offer:
• User-friendly templates: Ready-to-use designs for quick customization.
• Cost-effectiveness: Typically more affordable than hiring a professional.
• Fast setup: Ideal for beginners needing a website quickly.
The Prоs & Соns оf а Wеbsіtе Вuіldеr
DІY wеbsіtе buіldеrs hаvе bесоmе sо рорulаr recently. The most attractive functionality of WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) web builders is how users can choose a favourite template, upload their content with drag and drop, and have a site online at affordable to no cost.
Website builders have revolutionised the way individuals create and customise their online presence by incorporating user-friendly features such as "drag and drop" functionality and "WYSIWYG" (What You See Is What You Get) editing tools. These innovations allow users to visually design and modify web pages without needing extensive technical knowledge.
If you are comfortable using applications like Microsoft Word, navigating and utilising these website builders is straightforward. This accessibility significantly lowers the barrier to entry for website creation. Instead of grappling with the complexities of coding languages like HTML and CSS, anyone can effectively build a professional-looking website using these intuitive tools. This saves time and empowers users to focus on the content and design of their site rather than the technical details behind it.
Web builders offer templates that streamline the process of uploading content. Instead of relying on tools like FTP (File Transfer Protocol) to transfer files, these builders allow modifications directly from the browser. This simplifies both the code modifications and the uploading of various content types, such as text, images, videos, and more, to the building site. The learning curve is simply to follow the template's guidelines and ensure images are properly sized for the designated spaces.
Website Builder Benefits
Affordable and Fast: Platforms like Wix and Squarespace offer quick, budget-friendly solutions.
User-Friendly: No coding is needed; drag-and-drop tools simplify the design.
Pre-Made Templates: Choose from various styles and customize them to suit your needs.
Easy DIY Does NOT Equal Results
Building a website does not mean getting the desired results quickly. While getting a site online as swiftly as possible might seem convenient in the short term, the reality is far more complex. Launching a website involves much more than simply uploading a few pictures and pasting some text into a pre-designed template. It is a multifaceted process that requires careful consideration and strategy.
Many business owners relish the DIY website builder experience and are excited about the creative freedom it offers. However, they often face disappointment when, after dedicating countless hours to editing and refining their sites, they realize that customers are not flocking to them as anticipated. This realization can be particularly disheartening when they do not see the expected surge of visitors claiming they found the business online.
After weeks of effort, they discovered that not all websites have the same potential for success. A visually stunning website—no matter how meticulously designed—can not generate new customers if it is not easily found by the target audience through search engines. Moreover, visitors are likely to leave without engaging (increasing bounce rate*) if the site fails to provide a seamless and enjoyable user experience. * Bounce rate is a web traffic analysis metric that measures the percentage of visitors who leave a website after viewing only one page
To discuss further on this point, it is essential to understand that there are critical web design and search engine optimization (SEO) components that many popular website builders cannot provide. For instance, optimizing website for search engines involves a deep understanding of keywords, site architecture, and content relevance, which can be daunting for those without marketing expertise. Additionally, creating a user-friendly interface means considering navigation, load times, and mobile compatibility—all of which require a thoughtful design approach.
Websites must incorporate engaging visuals, compelling content, and clear calls to action to capture and retain customers effectively. Ignoring any of these elements can significantly reduce the site's effectiveness. Achieving a solid online presence is more complex than many people realize; it necessitates a strategic approach that goes beyond the initial setup. This involves conducting additional research and understanding fundamental design theories (such as art elements, design principles, and composition), digital marketing techniques (like SEO and Integrated Marketing Communication), and having basic technical knowledge of digital technologies.
In the following sections, we will explore some of these crucial components in detail, illustrating why it's vital for business owners to invest time and resources into optimizing their websites if they want to see tangible results.
Responsive Website - make sure the website is mobile-friendly and iPad-friendly.
Basic knowledge of Web Design - learn more about the web and the design for future technical problem-solving purposes.
Digital Marketing Strategy - create lead-generation strategies such as running a digital marketing campaign.
Technical SEO: Optimizing the technical aspects of a website.
On-site SEO (internal) Optimizing the content on a website for users and search engines.
Image optimization: Alt text is a key factor in image optimization and is often considered one of the most important after the image file name.
Anchor text: If an image is used as a link, the alt text functions as anchor text, which is important for search rankings.
Others: Title tags, Meta description, Header tags (H1-H6) Image alt text, Open graph metadata, keyword research and targeting, etc
Off-site SEO: Creating brand assets (e.g., people, marks, values, vision, slogans, catchphrases, colors)
Google Analytics & Tag Manager integration
Sitemap creation & Submit the website to the major search engines
Additional points would ultimately enhance brand awareness and recognition (i.e., demonstrating and growing its expertise, authority and trustworthiness) and demand generation.
SEO and Performance
Website builders provide basic SEO tools but may lack advanced customization options.
Designers can implement tailored SEO strategies for better search engine rankings.
Organic search delivers 53% of all website traffic, according to a 2019 BrightEdge study.
More than 8.5 billion searches happen every day on Google Search, and Google owns 91% of the global search engine market.
What Does a Website Designer Offer?
A website designer is a professional skilled in creating custom websites. They provide:
Tailored designs: Unique aesthetics that match your brand identity.
Enhanced functionality: Advanced features for better user experience.
Professional expertise: Insights into trends, SEO, and web standards.
Why Choose a Website Designer?
Custom Designs: Stand out with unique, brand-specific visuals.
Advanced Features: Designers can implement complex functionalities.
SEO Expertise: Professional optimization for higher search engine rankings.
Key Considerations When Choosing
Budget: Website builders are cost-efficient, while designers can be an investment.
Time: Builders allow quick launches, whereas designers need more time to develop custom sites.
Customization Needs: If you need unique features or branding, a designer may be the better option.
Technical Skills: Builders simplify the process, but designers handle complex technical tasks for you.
Local SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Free web builders may offer convenience and speed but can not provide exceptional design or advertising that precisely fits a business. They also cannot create lead-generation opportunities and digital strategies, like SEO, to drive traffic to your site. A basic understanding of how SEO works is essential as website creation involves builders and business, sales and marketing knowledge.
Consider the scenario in which a website for a business was successfully developed using a web builder. While this accomplishment is commendable, it becomes irrelevant if Google is unaware of the website's existence or lacks sufficient trust in its credibility to present it to potential consumers.
For instance, let us examine a hypothetical business named "Cyrus's Martial Arts," located in Boston. Although the website may appear in search results when individuals specifically query "Cyrus's Martial Arts," it is essential to recognize that few users are likely to utilize that exact phrase. Instead, most prospective customers may opt for broader search terms, such as "martial arts classes in Boston" or "best martial arts facilities nearby," particularly if they are still in the exploratory phase of their search.
This reality implies that the audience that aims to attract may never discover the website unless they are already acquainted with the brand. To effectively engage potential customers actively seeking martial arts services, it is crucial to optimise the website for the relevant keywords they are likely to use.
That is not a way to create a business online.
When developing a website, it is imperative to consider how individuals locate services and products based on geographic proximity. As an increasing number of searches are conducted on mobile devices, search engines are leveraging location data to deliver personalised results. For instance, "Cyrus's Martial Arts" may be situated merely a few blocks away from a potential customer's location; however, if the website's search engine optimisation (SEO) is not configured correctly and essential information such as the name, address, and phone number (NAP) is not readily accessible, the potential customer may never encounter your business in online search results.
One significant advantage of engaging a professional web designer is their understanding of how to optimize neighbourhood SEO effectively. This optimization enhances the likelihood that your company will appear in a diverse range of Google searches. Although managing your listings and citations will still necessitate attention, a well-established SEO framework provides a substantial head start in improving your online visibility.
Tips for Hiring a Web Designer
It is advisable to consult with professional web designers to enhance a business's online presence and present it professionally. A simple Google search for "Web Design in [your city, state]" (replace [your city, state] with your actual location) can help you find suitable options.
Key Considerations
Budget: Builders are cost-effective; designers are an investment in long-term quality.
Time: Builders allow quick launches; designers take longer for tailored solutions.
Goals: Builders are great for simple sites; designers excel in personalized, scalable projects.
Web designers typically charge a one-time fee to create your website, ranging from US$100 to over US$10,000 or even more, depending on your business needs and the type of web designer you choose. It is important to note that larger advertising agencies often have higher fees than freelancers. These quoted prices generally do not cover ongoing SEO services, domain name registration (like yourbusiness.com), or web hosting (the servers that store your website). However, most web designers can assist you in navigating these additional aspects if you're unfamiliar with them.
While hiring a professional web designer is a traditional route, it is worth exploring various other web design service options and models that may better suit your needs.
Website builders are ideal for affordability and simplicity, while designers provide tailored, professional results. Choose based on your project goals!
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