Your website is one of the most important tools to help your business succeed. Your website draws in visitors, provides them with the information they’re looking for quickly and easily, and drives them to take a desired action. A web designer can be your best friend when building an effective and strategic website, but not always for the reasons you’d think.
Here are 3 things you would probably never expect a web designer to say…
1.“You can probably build your own website.”
Tools like Squarespace and Wix can offer new business owners and startup entrepreneurs a quick way to build their own website. If you think you have the tools and skills to take it on, we say, go for it! If this prospect overwhelms you and makes you hyperventilate a little bit, that’s where a web designer can make a big difference.
Knowing what to say to attract your potential customers to your website, who those people are that you want to attract, and how to get them to do what you want is key to having a successful website. If you are a natural marketer and copywriter, it may be easy for you to develop the content for your website. If this is not your strong suit, a strategic web designer may be exactly what you need.
Having an eye for design is important to make your website aesthetically pleasing and intuitive to your visitors. If a visitor goes to your site and can’t find what they need within seconds, they will go somewhere else. There are lots of nice out-of-the-box themes available on the build-it-yourself platforms, some better than others. Business owners who know exactly which photo to use with the perfect headline, or can visualize exactly where each section on the homepage needs to go, should give it a shot. Everyone else will probably need help from an expert to make it looking just right.
2. “Your logo is fine.”
In our opinion, the most overanalyzed element from a business perspective is the logo. Don’t get us wrong, we’ve seen lots of simply dreadful logos, and lots of really great ones, but 9 times out of 10, the logo is just fine the way it is.
When many businesses look to rework their website, they often call us worried about their logo, but when you need to redesign your website, the logo should not necessarily be the first step.
Developing website copy, imagery, and design are far more important and will work harder for you than a new logo ever could. Spending your time and energy on ways to attract and keep new website visitors will be much more helpful to your business in the long run. As long as your logo isn’t absolutely abysmal, don’t waste too much of your time on it!
3. “Bigger is not always better.”
Simple is better. A 30-page website with miles and miles of copy may sound cool and fancy, but it probably isn’t the most effective option for your business. Your customers need to be able to find the information they want from your website quickly and easily. Too much time spent scrolling through unnecessary content will drive them nuts and onto somewhere else.
Your website should be simple but strategic. Information should be obvious and accessible to visitors. You want to get your point across as succinctly and precisely as possible on your website. The best way to do this is always with minimal, clear, well thought-out headlines, not endless explanations that people will never read.
What’s the point of a web designer?
When executed properly, your website can be one of your hardest working tools. Some business owners have the skills to build, design, write, and layout an effective website. However, most do not have the skills, time, or desire to do it themselves. For these people, a strategic web designer can be their best friend.
In 2020, web design is about much more than how impressive your website is or how good it looks. Web design is about using technology to get your message and your brand out to the right people. There’s things you definitely need to do, and things you definitely should not do. A professional website designer can guide you through these decisions, and make sure your website is working as hard as it can for your business.
If you need help getting your website to work for you, schedule a complimentary consultation!
