Taking matters into your own hands on any DIY project can actually be a productive thing - as long as you have some luck and a tad bit of skill. But when it comes to creating your business and successfully getting everything accomplished (including your website), that can be an entirely different matter. In today’s digital age, VisionAmp Web Design has been helping more and more small (and large) business owners with website creation and hosting. Why add more stress and difficulty by trying to DIY your own website? You would be surprised at how affordable we are - and you will be pleasantly pleased with the end result.
Hiring professionals takes the headache off of you and allows you to focus on growing your company. Your website should serve as a helping hand to you, not a thorn in your side. Here are 9 things to consider when you are contemplating a DIY vs. a professional website:
During these interesting “pandemic days,” more and more people are relying on the internet when it comes to research, shopping, buying, etc. Potential customers will notice how the site looks, how it feels, how it responds, how long it takes to load (the list goes on and on). Professional website design vs template design can be spotted a mile away. When you limit yourself with a premade template (or use someone with limited web knowledge) your site suffers, and will come off unprofessional. Visitors are likely to leave your site quickly for a site that looks more reputable. Hiring an agency that specializes in custom website design and web development can take your website to the next level!
Have you ever walked into a store that is disorganized, smells, and has a very uninviting atmosphere?
On the other hand, have you ever walked into a store that is clean, spacious, and has a very comforting feeling, such as an Apple Store?
I’m sure you’ve been in both types of businesses. Which one gives you the impression that it’s well-managed, cares about its customers, and offers better products? It’s probably the business that cares about its appearance. Working with VisionAmp you can be assured we take pride in our designs and will work to make sure your website is attractive and provide the “wow” factor!
DESIGN MATTERS - and good website design signals that there’s a solid company behind the screen. If visitors aren’t saying “wow” (in a good way) when they visit your site, it still needs work. Do not cut corners on design. Every pixel, every picture, and every word matters. Hire a good designer if you can afford it and make design a priority!
Security is a major concern for customers, especially online. Everyday hackers insert viruses into websites, and without proper security, you could potentially spread those viruses to your customers. A professional website development agency can help make sure your website is safe from threats of this nature.
There is nothing worse than going to a site that takes forever to load. Users grow impatient quickly, click off, and find another site. When the website finally loads, many people find themselves looking for information only to discover outdated information or the dreaded “coming soon” text.
In order to create a more professional website, it is important to keep your users, potential customers, happy and satisfied with their overall user experience. If you don’t have time to create content for a page or keep it updated, then delete it. Making sure your customers can get the information they came for is an important first step in creating a potential lead.
Unfortunately, most "do it yourself" template-based website programs do not offer customization. Being able to upload current content and keep things fresh is a huge plus. Without this option, it can result in your website looking just like everyone else's, which is why it is important to hire someone who specializes in website customization. A customized website not only looks professional, but also allows you to break through the clutter, and stand out to potential customers.
Creating your own website can be draining. As a business owner, you want to devote your attention to building your business, not figuring out how to build a website. If your site is not done correctly, it can end up costing you more time and money than it is worth. Companies like ours specializes in web design and web development. Letting a pro build your site so that you can focus on building your business.
When it comes to website detail, ask yourself these questions:
Do you have misspellings on your homepage/any page? Proofread and spell check!
Did you copy and paste a bunch of the images on your website? This is probably illegal.
Is it easy for users to contact you based on the information you’ve posted?
Does your website accurately represent your business?
Does the site flow well, easy to read, easy to follow and click valid links?
People are easily distracted - especially online. The first page people see on your website is the most important page. When people land there, you want them to stay a while and explore. When they land on your subsequent pages, these need to be just as effective. Landing page optimization can be defined as a process of improving the performance of various page elements, ensuring that they get your business the highest possible conversions from visitors who arrive on these targeted pages. VisionAmp can make your main landing page, as well as your following pages, user-friendly, increasing the chances that they will dive deep. If your landing page is well-organized and visually pleasing, you will experience many more customers, resulting in more sales.
According to BusinessDictionary.com, a call-to-action consists of: “Words that urge the reader, listener, or viewer of a sales promotion message to take an immediate action, such as: write now, call now - or for internet users - click here.”
Successful strategy and marketing campaigns involve a strong call to action. It’s one thing to catch their attention, but another to cause people to take action on what you are offering. Your call to action should also be consistent and clear across all of your communication channels. Website, e-mails, social media, blog posts, etc. This will bring the desired response you’re looking for. The audience should know exactly what you’re asking them to do, and your website needs to make it easy for them to take the next step.
If the DIY isn’t going as planned, or if you just want to discuss options, give VisionAmp Web Design a call today at 855.862.5491. You can also visit our ONLINE PORTFOLIO to see for yourself the quality website designs we have built for others. Put us to work for you today!
-Written by David Jackson, VisionAmp Content Specialist
