Weebly, WordPress, WordPress alternatives and website builders make designing your own website look super simple. You just follow the instructions, add images, write content, and you are good to go.
So, this means that there’s a great value to design own website, right? Not really.
Taking the DIY route with website design vs. hiring a professional is an apples and oranges comparison. Think of it as the difference between cooking at home vs. dining out at a Michelin 3-star restaurant.
There are some benefits to designing your own website, including the fact that it’s easier than ever. Yet, the cons outweigh the pros. Working with a professional web design company like BreakThruWeb gives you a better chance to reach your goals.
Here is an overview of six reasons you shouldn’t do your own website design:
1. YOU CAN’T MATCH PROFESSIONAL QUALITY OF WEB DESIGN
The sheer number of websites on the web means that any new website is likely to get lost in the crowd. You need a high-quality, first-rate site to reach your target audience. Businesses with a subpar site lose credibility and authority. Your site should have a responsive design while being mobile-friendly and beautiful.
Close to 50% of people state that the design of a site is the most important factor when determining a business’ credibility. Not to forget, 38% of people will click away if the layout or content of a site is unattractive.
So, what’s the solution?
You are more likely to end up with an inferior layout if you design own website. Website building tools, especially the free ones, offer limited features and tools.
2. MORE SALES: PROFESSIONAL DESIGN HELPS BUYER’S JOURNEY
Let’s say you use Wix for building your website. You can use the drag and drop design to add the different features and elements. You will end up with a functional website. In fact, the platform also provides designing your own website tips to make the process easier. As easy as ABC, right?
Well, it’s easy for you. But you are not building to be used by yourself, right? Your website is for your customers. And you have to design it to function according to their convenience.
Keep in mind that the design of your website has a direct impact on the buyer’s journey. Your sales can drop by 27% if your website takes one additional second to load.
You can virtually eliminate this risk by working with a professional designer.
3. SEO KNOWLEDGE AND PERFORMANCE
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a constantly evolving beast. Keeping pace with the changes in the rules and algorithms is virtually impossible for the non-expert. Simply put, you have to test your website’s performance in compliance with Google and other search engines before going live.
When you design own website, you might end up making mistakes with regards to SEO. Even a small error can drive away thousands of visitors. Any web designer worth his/her salt knows all about SEO-friendly design and will build your site accordingly.
The numbers clearly show why you should hire a professional for website design. Optimizing your website will boost your visits by 113%, and contributing to 117% more clicks.
4. THE RIGHT TOOLS AND EXPERIENCE
Website builders change the process of designing a site into a by-the-numbers format. Yet, you cannot ignore that it is a specialized task. Web designers use a range of tools to execute their jobs perfectly. These tools include Photoshop, software for auditing your website, and plug-ins. Some of these tools cost a pretty penny.
Professional designers have the expertise and experience to use these tools to create a world-class website. Moreover, they have access to the tools as part of their job. If you design own website, in all likelihood, you will not be able to use this software or tools at all.
You can spend several months (or even years) learning to use the tools to design a truly remarkable website. Or, you can look for a professional designer to do the job for you. Not a tough decision, right?
Article adapted from Mike Khorev
