Building a website has never been easier. Countless free, easy-to-use web design templates, helpful web design blogs, and numerous Youtube channels outlining building and funneling processes all offer advice about how any average joe can build a functional website. With an estimated 380 websites created each minute, it’s clear that with some experience and lots of patience, a site is within everyone’s reach. But a website that works is very different from a website that draws in traffic and generates conversions.
Now, brands and businesses are faced with the challenge of developing a website that captures clicks and drives conversions—without contributing to other industry noise. Is this something that can be done without the assistance of a web design agency? Let’s find out.
Aspects of a Successful Website
Thanks to our digitally connected culture, most tech-savvy people can differentiate between weak and strong web design. Meaning, a well-designed website is no longer cutting-edge or optional, but integral to any brand’s success. A website must be technically, visually, and operationally sound to function well. If even one of these components fails, it can limit your online exposure, fail to resonate with your ideal consumer base, or even damage your brand reputation.
Whether you decide to build your site or rely on the services of web development professionals, every website building block is crucial. Make sure to work through the following aspects with either your team or your web design agency to get the highest web design ROI.
The Technical Stuff
Domain Name, Web Design, and Hosting
Your digital address is the identifier that will help searchers find your website. Generally costing as little as $10-15 annually, a domain name can be purchased through several hosts, including GoDaddy and Wix. Domain name providers often include built-in website creation platforms. A few user-friendly, yet professional, options include WordPress and Squarespace.
A host is a digital area where your site and content live. Depending on your budget and the estimated number of visitors your website will receive, you may choose to utilize one type of website hosting over another.
Coding Skills
It is possible to build a website from scratch instead of using a design template. However, depending on your skill level and your specific website needs, a template-based approach might work just fine. In either case, a basic understanding of coding is crucial for personalizing your site and adding relevant features.
The Visual Stuff
Website Layout
Your website appearance and logo design are two visuals that visitors will immediately notice. Whether you use templates or custom designs, take care that these site aspects line up with current trends.
Color Scheme and Typography
Although many brands fail to see the value in custom typography and a thoughtful color scheme, both aspects are essential to the visual structure of your website. Together, these features can naturally guide a user further down the conversion funnel.
The Practical Stuff
Navigation and Responsiveness
Faulty or confusing navigation is one of the biggest roadblocks standing between you and website conversions. If consumers can’t easily find your contact information, access answers to their questions, or view your content on a mobile device, they’ll leave your site with a single click or tap. Test your pages to ensure easy navigation and responsiveness are simple and effective, and that your potential customers can get where they want to go.
Solid Content and SEO
Whether you’re building a site from scratch or dropping content into a neat template, wasting conversion opportunities due to low-quality content is a price you can’t afford to pay. Every word that goes on your website should be written with purpose, and every sentence should reinforce your brand image and speak to your ideal customers. If you don’t have copywriters or SEO strategists at your disposal, you’ll need some help to make sure that your site gets in front of the right people.
Potential Pitfalls of Building Your Own Website
There are some advantages to building your own website, such as low cost and the availability of website builders. However, self-built sites also bring with them a number of disadvantages that can be avoided by working with an agency or website developer.
If you design and publish your own website, that site will only be as high-performing as your coding and digital marketing experience. Digital marketing teams are equipped with resources, experience, and knowledge of best practices. Working with an agency does require a larger budget, but it’s true that you get what you pay for. If you choose to build your own site, you’ll have to purchase or do without the keyword tools, analytics dashboards, and design programs that agencies already have at their disposal.
Just as working with an agency helps avoid accrued costs, it can also help you to be better equipped to navigate any roadblocks that pop up during the development and design processes. Without the proper skillset, it’s easy to make mistakes like developing a less-than-Google-friendly site, not optimizing for mobile, and more. Agencies have the experience and knowledge needed to create a site that doesn’t just look good and work well, but also appeals to search engines and visitors alike.
Trust Your Website Design to the Best
Even with the knowledge that DIY web development efforts can fall short, the resources and commitment needed to work with top web design agencies can seem daunting. At Snap, we strive to eliminate all complications and mitigate concerns by putting our clients first. If you know you need to revamp your website but have been wary of starting the process, contact us today. We’ll help you get started on the road to a stronger site.