Templates are all well and dandy for getting a website up and running quickly and cheaply, with options ranging from many DIY sites all the way to people from outside of the country offering you a cheap website in hours, but are they really beneficial? Maybe if you are just trying to check off a to-do item on your list so that you feel accomplished today, but in the long run, you would likely be just as well off not spending any time or money on a cookie cutter template.
The truth is, the main benefit to having an online presence in the form of a website stems from it promoting your brand and ultimately increasing your sales. Having a site just like everyone else, not only in the way it looks, but also when it comes to the code hiding behind what your users viewport and the way search engines read it, can be very counterproductive to the purpose of your small business' need for a website.
What's the alternative?
A professional, custom designed website that will boost your brand to new levels and make you money rather than just cost you money.
Here's just a handful of items that a custom website will give you:
Better SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Googles Bots are smart. Very smart. They read the code in your site, and if it is too similar to other sites, you will automatically lose search engine ranking. While you can save money by using a simple click and drag template, or hiring one of the many cheap 'website today for just $300' website thieves, I mean agencies, you will lose the ability to reach a large portion of your potential market.
More Professional Appearance
When a potential customer or client visits your business’ website, they should get a great first impression of who you are. A polished, professional website with custom content and design is a great way to show off your top-quality products and services while establishing a level of trust that many template websites simply cannot portray.
By utilizing a template you are bypassing the opportunity to invest in your brand and stand out from your competitors. Inserting content into predetermined spots may get your message across, but what’s the point if it's exactly the same as your competition and there’s no one willing to stick around to read it?
Responsive Design
60% of web traffic comes from a mobile device, and 70% of mobile searches result in an action within an hour. Your website has to make a good impression on every device, and many template websites fail to adapt and respond the way custom designed sites do.
Far too many businesses make the mistake of neglecting their website’s content and layout, which can quickly impact how long a user stays on their site and where they rank in searches. As a result, Google flags their site as a poor source of information and their site’s search engine ranking goes down the drain.
The Flexibility You Need
It’s often difficult to add custom content to template websites. Without this flexibility, template websites often end up with a mess of content and photos that don’t quite match your business.
Custom web design allows you to create a site that represents your business’ goals and values, along with integrating the perfect user experience. The days where you can have an average design and stale content have passed. With a custom web design that comes with a custom content management system, you can easily update your site and drive measurable results.
The Key is Consistency
Your brand is everything. It’s what makes you stand out from the crowd and is often your potential customer’s first impression of you. To create a consistent voice across all platforms, you need your business cards, emails, and website to be cohesive. In order to maintain this consistency, your business needs a custom website built around your brand, with your colours, your feel, your vision built into every page and online user experience.
So where do you find one of these amazing custom designed websites?
Why, I am so glad you asked. (See what I did there)
I just happen to excel at custom designed websites, professional custom graphics, and so much more. I love to create stunning websites that make our clients proud to show off their small business online, and their customers happy to be part of the experience.
www.majcweb.com <--- That's me, and I live and breathe making your business stand out in the never ending sea of the internet. Check it out.