Website Builder vs Web Designer. The Value of a Professional

Dec 8, 2023

Every small or large business in this day and age needs an online presence, otherwise you’ll fall behind. This is more so true for small businesses. In such a crowded market you will find it very difficult to get ahead or stay ahead of your competitors without a website or social profile. When it comes to building a website though, small businesses often face a decision: design a website themselves using the many tools available such as Wix, Squarespace and Google Sites, or investing in a professional website designer. These website builders do have their benefits, they’re usually cheap, in the case for Google Sites its completely free, they have a vast amount of templates to chose from and can be quickly set up. On the other hand though, there are 6 advantages for hiring a professional designer that can significantly impact your businesses success and get you ahead of your competitors using website builders.

Customisation and Uniqueness

As mentioned, most website builders provide a selection of templates that allows for an easy setup which can get you off the ground quickly. Many use these templates, I’ve designed a few templates myself but what can a professional offer instead? Well it seems obvious to say but uniqueness. Professional web designers bring creativity to the table, designing a website that is tailored to the specific needs of your brand and identity. They can create a visually appealing, responsive and user-friendly website that sets you apart from the similar looking websites in your industry.

Technical Expertise

Designing a website involves more that just choosing colours, images and a layout. If only it was that simple. There is much more to think about when designing a website including the user experience, making sure the site is responsive over all devices, optimising the website for SEO and much more. A web designer will ensure that your website will not only look good but also function seamlessly across various devices and platforms while being optimised for a great user experience that converts visitors into customers.

SEO Optimisation

As mentioned above SEO is quite a technical aspect to any website, setting it up right could be the difference between a steady flow of customers or having no visitors at all. Website builders will have the ability to set up your on-page SEO but having a professional implement the correct SEO practices will make all the difference. A web designer can make sure all the different factors related to SEO including meta tags, headings, alt text, site speed, mobile optimisation and well design navigation are set up correctly so you can concentrate on running your business instead of worrying about this complicated avenue of marketing. In essence, a well-crafted website by a professional designer doesn’t just look good—it’s strategically built to support SEO and marketing endeavours, maximising the businesses online visibility and attracting targeted traffic.

Professional Support and Maintenance

What do you do if your website goes down or starts running extremely slow? This is one significant advantage of a professional web designer, the ongoing support they can provide after your website is live. Most web design agencies offer a package of continued support that ensures your website remains secure, up-to-date with the latest technologies and addressing any needs or concerns you may have.

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Scalability and Growth

If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling behind. The same is true for small businesses and as your business grows your website may need to grow with you. You may need additional pages, information or functionality adding to your website that may not be included in your template package.

Brand Credibility and Trust

A professionally design website reflects the professionalism and credibility of a business. If your customers or clients have never used your services before, they need to trust you and a well design website goes a long way to instilling that. In contrast, a generic website may convey a lack of commitment or look similar to one of your competitors. Gain an advantage over your competition by having a website that is engaging with your customers and stands out from the crowd.

While website builders offer an affordable and quick solution, the long-term benefits of investing in a professional web designer cannot be overstated. They can combine creativity, technical expertise, ongoing support and a personalised touch that aligns with your businesses goals, that a website builder simply can not. In conclusion, for small businesses wanting to get ahead of the competition with an online presence that reflects their brand and goals, partnering with a small business website design agency can be an investment that yields a substantial return.