Let’s face it. Hiring a good web designer can run into thousands of dollars. How do you know when you should make the investment? A typical website usually needs updating every 3-5 years but in the meantime, you can update your site without having to fork out a lot of money. There are times (and you are hearing it straight from the horse’s mouth) that hiring a web designer does NOT make sense
What is the Role of a Web Designer?
First, let’s differentiate between a web designer and a web developer because they perform two very different functions. A web designer lays out a website. They are interested in the user experience, graphic design, and overall look of your website. A web developer handles the code and makes sure everything works smoothly on the back end.
What Is a Website Builder?
Another term we need to define is ‘website builder.’ A website builder is a service like Weebly or Wix that allows you fill a pre-made template with your information. They are inexpensive and serve the needs of many businesses. We will discuss who those businesses are in just a moment. But first, let’s look at the work that is done by web designers and web developers.
Web Development
- Updates WordPress and plugins
- Makes changes to the style sheets or the custom page templates
- Handles issues with mobile-compatibility
- Gets your website up and running when it’s down
- Sets up integrations between your site and mail services
Web Design
Besides your web designer and your web developer, you also have your web marketer. Ideally, all three work together (or might even be the same person). Many people think of them as one entity but more often than not, they are individuals that work as part of an agency.
When You Should Hire a Website Designer
For new websites or those who are completely redesigning an old site, a website designer is a must!
A good web designer can take your vision and make it a reality. They start by taking time to understand your business and your customers. Then they tailor the design and structure of your site to facilitate conversions. Digital marketers spend a lot of time talking about UX Design and a website designer is the one to give it to you.
A good web designer can also help you have a unique and interesting design that sets you apart from your competitors. Nowadays all websites are beginning to look the same and having a custom designed website can help your business get noticed in a crowded space.
Should everyone hire a professional website designer? Not really. In fact, for many, hiring a web designer does not make sense.
When Hiring a Web Designer Does Not Make Sense
For many, there is no need to hire a web designer. You can get by with a website builder. We referred to website builders earlier in this article.
Web Designer vs Website Builder? Which is Best for You?
Hiring a website designer does not make sense if you have one of the following scenarios. Instead, you should look into a website builder or an individual who specializes in building small WordPress sites using pre-made templates or themes.
- You have an unproven business idea.
- The site is a personal blog or a hobby.
- You are creating a website for a small club (your son’s Scout troop) or another small group.
- The site you have already looks great.
- The problem with your site is a lack of traffic. If that is the case you may need to check your coding or hire a content specialist.
- You have a business idea still in development.
- The money is needed elsewhere to better improve sales.
The bottom line is that a website should pay for itself. Hiring a website designer does not make sense if you won’t make back your investment in revenue generated by the website. This does not mean it must be an e-commerce site. Most websites generate leads, not sales. If you cannot trace an increase in leads and consequently an increase in sales directly from your website, then hiring a web designer does not make sense.
Ericks Webs Design offers both web design and web development services. We build custom websites with the user-experience in mind. Before we write a single line of code, we get to know your business and discover your goals for your website. Then, we create a Free Mock-Up of your new custom website. That’s right! You get to see exactly what you will get before you ever pay a penny or make a commitment. Contact us if you would like to hear more about our Free Mock-Up offer.
Web Design
