First impressions really matter in the world of online marketing. Not only does your website need to be found by your target market, it has to make an immediate impact.
One means by which to do that is through website design. With it now being relatively easy for anyone with some basic computer literacy to create their own website, if budgets are tight, it might seem like a sensible decision, allowing you to divert funds to other aspects of your business.
However, is this the most sensible way to move forward?
Will creating a basic website by yourself create the impression you really want?
We think you should reconsider.
Professional web design services are more affordable than you might think and it can help give your business the edge it needs. Here we’ll take a look at why good web design is so important and the advantages it can give your business.
Why should small businesses invest in web design services?
There are a number of good reasons why your small business should invest in professional web design services. These include:
First impressions count
Web design sets the first impression for your business. If your website looks outdated or unattractive it can be off-putting. When people are browsing online and looking for goods and services they can quickly move on if something doesn’t immediately grab their attention and give them what they’re looking for. Why should someone choose to spend time on your website compared to that of your competitors?
Increasingly, a website will be the principal means by which people are introduced to your brand. It therefore needs to do a lot of work. What do you want your website to say about your business? The impact your website makes on visitors will determine whether or not they want to find out more about your goods and services. Strong bespoke web design keeps your visitors engaged and on your page.
It helps with SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) plays a critical role in how many people find your website. Good SEO can give you an advantage over your competitors but getting it right is an increasingly complex task. Many web design elements will impact your SEO performance. If your SEO fundamentals are not up the task you’ll struggle to be seen.
Good SEO is not just about content. Certain web design elements will directly influence how search engine spiders crawl and index your website. Professional web design services should take into consideration up-to-date SEO good practice when they design your site.
Good website design builds trust
A professional website design reassures people that your business is legitimate and can be trusted. It shows you’ve invested in your presentation, your information is up to date and that your business is trading and is likely to deliver.
Up to date, easy to navigate and attractive websites are more likely to not only attract visitors, but also convert those visitors into leads and customers. Good web design also makes a statement about the kind of customer service someone can expect from you. Attention to detail, great navigation and easy to access information on your website suggests you put the customer’s priorities first.
Your competitors are doing it
Competition can be fierce when you run a small business. Anything you can do to help your business stand out is to your advantage. As well as standing out, you also need to make sure that you take care of the basics. If some of your competitors are investing in smart website design then a more basic, homegrown effort can look half-hearted by comparison.
If you invest in smart website design you’ll give your business the best chance of competing with some of your rivals.
How much do professional website design services cost?
The cost of using professional web design services depends on a number of different factors. Firstly, the size of your business and what you need your website to do will impact on the cost. If you’re running an ecommerce business you will pay more for your website than if you’re a tradesperson looking to provide a straightforward guide to your services.
For a basic, bare minimum, professionally designed website you could pay as little as £800. For something much more technical that could run into the thousands. If you decide on a budget for a website that’s realistic, not spending more than you could afford but not cutting corners, you should be able to find website design services that are within your budget.
Remember, however, that price alone shouldn’t be the determining factor in your choice of website design service. Take a look at their previous work.
What extra services can a website design service provide?
Professional website design services can provide a range of other services to help support your online presence. They can provide web hosting and domain names to get your website up and running. Once your website is up and running they can help to keep it maintained, providing updates so it doesn’t become static and out of date. They can also provide ongoing content for your website such as SEO tailored blog posts, stunning photography or video content.
Every website design service is different so when you’re investigating your options be sure to ask what additional services they can provide. Do you want a company to do a one-off design job, or do you want ongoing support?
How do you get started?
Firstly, think about what you want your website to achieve. Is it to make sales, promote your business, generate leads, share information or perhaps a combination of all of those things? Then work out how much you can realistically afford to spend.
At Dawn Creative, we have the creative flair and digital know-how to really make your website deliver the goods. We take time to find out about your business and understand your needs before developing ideas.
If you’re looking to give your website a creative edge then contact our expert team today.
