Web Design

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Choosing the right construct to create a website requires an understanding of the myriad choices. The most common options lie between open-source, do-it-yourself platforms – like WordPress – and customized websites.

The pros and cons between the two depend on a variety of factors, including speed, cost, maintenance and functionality. The optimal choice is usually the one with the amenities that most align with the needs of the company as well as the budget for the project.

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WordPress

WordPress is an open-source platform that allows users to create websites using templates. WordPress offers e-commerce, mobile website and self-hosted solutions that makes content management easy. As is the case with any online tool, there are benefits and drawbacks to using WordPress, depending on need.

Pros

• Cost: WordPress is a cost-effective way to get a website up and running quickly. One of the most common reasons businesses avoid establishing a web presence is the expense. WordPress mitigates that issue by offering a platform for the do-it-yourselfer with pre-designed templates. This keeps the cost low and set-up process simple.
• Programming: Simply put – coding experience is not necessary to set up an aesthetically-pleasing website. In fact, this is the appeal of the WordPress platform and one of its main marketing points.
• Template Diversity: When WordPress first launched, it was a fairly rudimentary platform. It has since expanded to include creative templates that can accommodate just about any business type and are easily customized.
• Ease-of-Use: WordPress allows users to maintain a website without the need to consult a professional designer. This means that businesses can quickly update anything from product price points to important customer announcements.
• Extendable:  At the time of this writing, there are currently almost 40,000 plugins available to extend the functionality of WordPress.  This means that no matter how specialized your needs may be, chances are there is a plugin available that will do the job.
• Ongoing Development:  WordPress is constantly being improved upon by a large community of developers.  New updates are released regularly.

Cons

• Security Challenges: One of the biggest drawbacks of WordPress is the security vulnerability of the platform. When one website has a security breach, all others can be impacted because of the way that the WordPress network is structured. This compromised degree of security is a significant drawback of WordPress.
• Standardized Designs: Because WordPress relies on templated designs, it’s challenging for businesses to create a DIY highly customized website. While the information may be specific to the business, the design components of the template are shared among thousands of users.
• Function Limitations: While WordPress has more extensive offerings than ever, it is still limited by its DIY functions. There are also limits on design options and functionality.
• Speed: Because WordPress is home to so many websites, speed is sometimes an issue. Known in the industry as “bloatware,” these various plug-ins and tools give every user the same opportunity for development. The sheer volume of products can significantly impact loading speed for all sites hosted on WordPress.
• Maintenance: WordPress must maintained.  This means that WordPress core as well as all plugins and themes must be kept up to date to ensure ongoing security and optimal functioning of your website.
• Bloat:  WordPress is an extremely large platform.  For this reason, WordPress sites tend to be very resource-intensive and, thus, can result in a slow user experience.  The more plugins you have, the more bloated and slow your website is likely become. If you plan to have a WordPress website, plan to go with a Managed WordPress host.  Their services are usually tailored for and optimized to run WordPress.

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Custom Website Design

Custom website design may come at a higher cost, but for businesses that depend on a solid web presence, it’s a sound marketing investment. A custom design ensures a website that looks professional and functions well. It allows a brand to truly infuse its imprint on its site, establishing a dominant online presence.

Pros

• Security: Custom websites have a more stringent approach to security than open-source platforms. Working with a designer or company on a custom site means that you are working within a closed source network and are thus less likely to be victim to a widespread breach.
• Maintenance: A DIY approach is not always the most effective option. Ongoing maintenance through a professional website designer ensures that updates are properly scheduled, functionality is not compromised by changes and the website looks professional.
• Creativity: Being distinctive in business is not just ideal; it is essential for success. A custom website allows companies to get away from templated designs that have been replicated on numerous other websites.
• Content: A custom website design package is generally accompanied by other supplemental services. For instance, quality content is key to maximize website effectiveness; working with a professional content creator through a website design company assures content that gets results.

Cons

• Cost: A custom website design is usually more costly than the WordPress option and small businesses may not be prepared to incur the expense.
• Time: More time is needed for the development process as well as any future modifications to the site.
• Contract Complexities: A customized website design means that a contract must be established, negotiated and followed to ensure a coordinated approach to the design and development process. This adds more time to the process, however, which is why it is a drawback of going in this direction.

All the design and fancy animations in the World won’t fix poor website content.

First impressions are everything – in life and business. In today’s technology-driven environment, your company’s first impression is its website. It is likely to be the first place that potential clients go to learn more about what you offer. It is the initial representation of your brand. Expending resources on a high-quality website is one of the most worthwhile investments you can make in your burgeoning business. In tandem with a professional web designer, it’s important to carefully consider every detail of your website from photos to design elements to content.

While eye-catching website design may initially draw visitors in, good content is what engages and keeps them. Given the importance of content, it should be the starting point to cultivating your web presence. What makes the design of your website effective is the harmonious relationship between the design elements and content. The result of this combination is a clear conveyance of what your company is all about – from its mission to core values to distinguishing characteristics that make you stand out among others in your industry.

Some companies attempt to create content on their own, which can be a huge misstep. Professional content creation ensures that your website does what it is meant to – get results. Attempting to curate copy on your own may lead to delays in the design and backend implementation of your website because quality and/or errors need to be addressed. Poorly-written content can have a devastating impact on your reputation. According to the NN Group, businesses have just 10 seconds to make an impression with design and content for their website visitors. If the person is not engaged by that point, they generally leave. This equals a missed opportunity. Substandard content not only fails to introduce the visitor to your business, but it may deter them from even wanting to know more.

Writing engaging content that compels website visitors to action is no easy feat. After all, content with an overt marketing slant may be overpowering, while content that has no call-to-action at all may not do enough to compel visitors to respond. Good content falls somewhere in the middle, educating potential clients about your product or service while also drawing on your business experience to establish credibility. It also incorporates search engine optimization (SEO) features to make your website visible in online search results. Moreover, it gives visitors a clear sense of what your business is all about and gives them reason to want to know more. From this point, your content may persuade them to try your product or service or research your company more in-depth through reviews or social media.

This is all good news for you as a small business owner because it means that your website content has just given you an opening to prove your value. Consider that quality web content with a call to action generates three times the leads as other forms of marketing but costs significantly less. There’s no better investment in your business than the ability to share your story through content and design and realize tangible results from your web presence.