A good website designer has a design background and lots of training in related subjects, such as SEO and online marketing. Yes, you can build your website with a page builder, but will you design it exactly how you need it to be? Do you know how to create a website that looks good, loads fast, and converts visitors into customers?
A good website designer not only knows how to build your website but also knows about conversion optimization. For this reason, I recommend hiring a well-established, well-rounded website designer. A website builder can only fulfill some of the requirements of an online business.
Sure, you can create search engine-friendly websites with a page builder, but only if you know how to do SEO in the first place. Do you know how to set up all the tracking scripts for Google Analytics, Google Search Console, conversion tracking, SEO-optimize your pages, and add XML website maps? How can you ensure all your images are in the correct format and size, have the proper alt tags, load quickly, and are correctly tagged and optimized? How about creating the correct screen sizes for all the top mobile devices so they still look great on mobile? Not to mention many more things you don’t want to know, such as CSS, HTML, and more. It’s like asking how the sausage is made; nobody wants to know, but somebody has to do it. Sorry, I wrote this just before lunch.
To build your website correctly with a page builder, you need to be a website designer in the first place. Then, you need to learn SEO and some online marketing. Then, it would help if you learned how to convert your traffic into sales and leads so that when you have built your website, it makes you some money. I mean, that is the point.
When it comes down to it, you can build almost anything yourself or get a machine to make things for you. But, when it comes to your business, it’s essential that your website can convert your traffic, rank well, and look great.
Are Page Builders Easy To Use?
Most page builders allow almost anyone to build their website with a drag-and-drop interface. You select a template and some options and have a shiny new website. It takes away most of the learning curve involved in designing your website.
However, most people need to learn that you can do the same, if not much more, with your website using a built-in page builder plugin. For example, if you build your website using WordPress and a theme such as Divi and their Divi builder plugin, you have far more control of your website than with a page builder such as Wix.
What About Website Hosting?
Most page builders are hosted for you, meaning your website is stored on their server, and you pay a monthly fee. Some might say this option is bad, but it depends on what you want. Having them host your website might be precisely what you want; in this case, you are golden. If you would rather live in your mom’s basement until you are 45 because it’s nice, safe, and warm, then this option is for you.
The hosting company usually hosts your email and domain, too. So, it’s a one-stop shop for all your website needs. However, if you are like me and enjoy owning your website, I recommend building it without a page builder with something like WordPress or Joomla! and a reliable hosting company such as liquidweb.com or hostek.com
What About A Unique Design?
A page builder cannot design your website for you; it will give you options, usually starting with a template you modify to fit your needs. However, your website will likely look worse than a professional web designer could build if you are not a professional web designer.
Have you tried giving your kid a haircut lately? How did that turn out? Has the trauma worn off yet? Have the kids stopped bullying them yet? Most website designers have a degree in design and know about using color, fonts, space, and other design elements to ensure your design looks great on many types of devices. Many page builders have come a long way but need help designing your website.
Search Engine Optimization
Do you like traffic? Then, you should ensure your website is optimized for search engines. Search engine optimization is optimizing each page of your website and your entire site’s structure to give it a good chance of ranking in search engines. A WordPress website, or almost any leading content management system, is easier to optimize and has a better website structure than any page builder. They are not the same breed.
Best of both worlds
Regarding the best way to build an affordable website that looks great, is extensible, easy to update, converts well, and allows for unlimited capacities, your best options depend on your budget.
If you have buckets of gold nuggets, you can build your custom-designed content management system from scratch with all the bells and whistles you can dream of. You can use advanced programming to create anything. But if you are looking at page builders, your budget is probably a little more down to earth, so I’ll focus on the best low-budget options that will allow you to compete with the big guys.
WordPress
Yes, I know you knew I was going to mention WordPress. But that’s because it’s the best CMS on the planet and free. You can build almost any website you can dream of with WordPress. Also, the advanced themes, with page builders built-in, will allow you to create your websites quickly. I highly recommend WordPress, the Divi theme, and the Divi page builder. Combine this with Yoast for your SEO and some speed optimization plugins, and you are all set.
You must hire a designer to build the initial website and set up your SEO. However, you will own the website afterward and have just as much control, if not more, than you would have with a page builder.
For example, you can easily add eCommerce to your website if you want to turn it into a fully functional online store using a plugin called WooCommerce. WooCommerce only takes a few hours to install and configure, and it has everything you need. If you need more features there are many great plugins.
Another great system is Joomla!, which is also a CMS. Joomla! It may have a slightly higher learning curve than WordPress, but some say it’s more robust. I have used both for over a decade, and we have developed plugins for both. WordPress is better in many respects. There are more plugins for WordPress, and it’s easier to work with and optimize for search engines in my opinion.
Are You Serious?
If you are serious about your business, you should be thinking long-term. If you use a hosted page builder, such as wix.com, Shopify.com and others, to build your website, you don’t own the website 100%. But with your self hosted website, such as with WordPress or Joomla!, you can move your site to another hosting company if the company that hosts your website goes out of business or is taken over by a company with bad support. If you sell your website you can move it elsewhere. If you sell your business, you can sell the site to the new owner without requiring them to stay with the page builder host.
After 26 years in the web design industry, I have studied many systems and methods for building websites. The only hosted website solution I recommend is Shopify. Shopify is mainly for eCommerce websites, but it’s also used for regular websites. Shopify will allow you to build an excellent online store quickly, and various plugins make it SEO-friendly. However, it must be hosted on the Shopify servers, and you will need specially trained developers to work on a Shopify store if you require custom development.
In closing, hire a real website design company or a well-rounded freelancer if you want a real website. An automated website builder can only build your website; it cannot design, optimize, maintain, or promote it as a professional website designer can.
It’s like building your own house. You can create your own house, but will it be up to code? Will it be safe? Will you do it correctly, and how will you know if you did? Would you want a robot to build your house or an artisan?
A well-designed website is crucial for any business or individual looking to establish a solid online presence. However, finding the right website designer can be challenging and time-consuming. This blog post will guide you through the steps to hire a website designer without all the hassle so you can focus on creating the perfect website for your needs.
Define your project scope and goals.
Before starting your search to hire a website designer, it’s essential to establish the purpose of your website. Determine whether you need an informational site, an e-commerce website, a blog, or a portfolio to showcase your work.
Identifying your target audience
Knowing your target audience will help you create a website that caters to their needs and preferences. Identifying your target audience is crucial in building a successful website or online presence. A well-defined target audience allows you to create tailored content, marketing strategies, and user experiences that resonate with your potential customers.
Analyze your product or service.
Start by examining your product or service and its features, benefits, and unique selling points. Consider the problems it solves and the needs it fulfills. Knowing your product or service well will help you determine who would benefit most from your offering.
Create customer personas
Develop detailed customer personas to represent the people interested in your product or service. Include demographic information, such as age, gender, location, income, education, and occupation. Also, consider their interests, hobbies, preferences, and online behavior.
Study your competition.
Research your competitors and their target audience. Analyze their marketing strategies, customer reviews, and social media presence. Knowing your competitors can provide valuable insights into who they are targeting and help you identify potential gaps in the market.
Conduct market research
Gather data through surveys, interviews, or focus groups to learn more about your potential customers. Ask questions about their preferences, challenges, and motivations. Market research can help you validate assumptions and better understand your target audience’s needs and expectations.
Analyze your website and social media analytics.
Use analytics tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Insights to gather data about your website visitors and social media followers. Look for demographics, interests, and behavior patterns to help you identify your most engaged audience segments.
Monitor online conversations
Listen to what people say about your industry, competitors, and related topics on social media, forums, and review sites. Following conversations and issues related to your industry can help you identify common concerns, needs, and trends among your potential audience.
Revisit and refine your target audience.
As you gather more data and insights, revisit and refine your target audience. Remember that your audience may change, so staying current on their evolving needs and preferences is essential.
Identifying your target audience is critical in creating a successful online presence. Following these steps, you can understand your potential customers and tailor your content, marketing, and user experience to resonate with them. This focused approach will help you attract, engage, and convert more visitors into loyal customers.
Next, set a realistic timeline and budget for your project.
A timeline and budget will help you communicate your expectations with potential designers and ensure you stay on track throughout the process. Creating a website is an essential investment for any business or individual looking to establish a solid online presence. By setting a realistic timeline and budget for your project, you can communicate your expectations with potential designers and ensure that you stay on track throughout the process.
Define the scope of your project.
Start by outlining the specific features, functionalities, and design elements you want to include on your website. Consider the number of pages, navigation structure, multimedia elements, and any third-party integrations you may require. Knowing the project’s scope will help you understand the complexity of your project and estimate the time and resources needed to complete it.
Break down the project into phases.
Divide your project into smaller, manageable phases: planning, design, development, testing, and launch. Assign a timeframe to each step based on the tasks’ complexity. Breaking down your project will help you create a more detailed and accurate timeline.
Research industry benchmarks
Do some market research on average prices for website design and development to establish a reasonable budget for your project. Consider factors such as the size and complexity of your website, the expertise of your chosen designer, and the market rates for similar projects. Researching industry benchmarks will help you understand the costs and create a more accurate budget.
Be prepared for contingencies.
When setting your timeline and budget, it’s essential to account for potential setbacks and unexpected costs. Add some buffer time to your project schedule to accommodate unforeseen delays or changes in scope. Likewise, allocate a contingency budget to cover any additional expenses during the project.
Communicate your expectations with potential designers.
Once you have a clear timeline and budget for your project, communicate these expectations with potential designers during the hiring process. Expressing your expectations will help them understand your requirements and provide more accurate quotes and timeframes for their services.
Monitor your project’s progress.
As your project progresses, regularly review your timeline and budget to ensure you’re staying on track. Adjust your plans to accommodate any scope, resources, or priorities changes if necessary. This proactive approach will help you maintain control over your project and minimize the risk of delays and cost overruns.
Setting a realistic timeline and budget for your website project is essential for a smooth and successful process. By defining your project scope, breaking it down into phases, researching industry benchmarks, and preparing for contingencies, you can create a solid plan that helps you stay on track and manage your resources effectively. Communicating your expectations with potential designers and monitoring your project’s progress will ensure a successful outcome and a website that meets your needs and goals.
Research potential website designers.
Ask friends and colleagues for recommendations, as they may have previously worked with talented designers. You can also use online platforms like freelancer websites or design agency sites to find potential candidates.
Examine the portfolios and reviews of each designer to assess their skills and experience. Once you have a shortlist of potential candidates, move on to the next step.
Prepare a clear project brief.
Create a detailed project brief that outlines your website requirements, including the number of pages, design features, and any specific functionality or interactivity you need. Describe your desired website style and provide examples of websites you like. A project brief will help potential designers understand your vision and give you a more accurate quote.
Contact and interview candidates before you hire a website designer
Reach out to the designers on your shortlist and discuss your project requirements with them. Ask about their experience, expertise, and design process. Request a project quote and timeframe, and assess their communication skills and responsiveness during this process.
Compare quotes and make a decision.
Evaluate the pros and cons of each candidate, considering factors like their portfolio, experience, and price. Choose the designer who best aligns with your needs and budget.
Establish clear expectations and milestones.
Once you hire a web designer, sign a contract outlining deliverables, timelines, and payment terms. Set project milestones and review sessions to ensure you’re both on the same page throughout the project. Maintaining open communication is vital to achieving a successful outcome.
Conclusion
Following these steps, you can hire a website designer without all the hassle and create the perfect website for your needs. Planning and clear communication are crucial to ensuring a smooth and successful collaboration with your chosen designer. So, take action and find the ideal professional to bring your vision to life.
Seller’s Bay offers a full range of web design services to help your business succeed online. Contact us today for a free consultation.
So you have your shiny new business up and running, but now you need a website, or will your website be your new business? There are many options, and this only adds to the confusion. This article will tell you about your choices and how to get ready so your website design goes smoothly.
