There is always an argument about how to build a website, and what format should you use. Basically it boils down to two generic areas. Custom Design from the ground up or use an existing Website Template and customize it to your liking.
Custom Web Design
Unique design.
With a custom web design it is created just for your business. Your website will be different from anyone else’s.
Scalability
Just like adaptability, if you have planned what you want in the future for your website, a good web designer will take this into consideration as they select the technologies to use while building the website.
More Adaptable
If you have done your website planning, you will have a list of features you wish to have. By prioritizing this list of website features, you will give the web designer an idea of what to accommodate for in the future if your current budget doesn’t allow all the features to be implemented from the start.
Other points to take into consideration when deciding if custom web design is for you are:
Are you planning to maintain the website yourself? If you do not intend to learn how to code a website (or have someone on staff that can do this well) then you are going to have to request that a content management system CMS to be incorporated into the web design.
Website Templates
There is a misconception on how beneficial and economical using free website templates or purchased website templates are. Let’s look at some points about website templates:
Website templates are good for:
- Getting inspiration on colors, layouts and features. You cannot have your web designer copy these, but they do give the web designer an idea of the look you would like.
- Lower budgets where you need to get up and running as soon as possible. If budget is holding you back from getting your business up on the Internet, then maybe a website template might be the way to go.
- Shorter development time. It would appear that using a website template would include a shorter development time required for your website. Not really, read on.
Using website templates do have some downfalls:
- There are possibilities that other people are using the same template. If it’s a really appealing template, there may be lots of other people who have already bought that very template.
- You will be limited on the customization of the website template. Without web page coding skills, you are still going to have to hire someone to help you. Some templates are laid out very specific. Meaning if you incorporate your own graphics or have extensive content, the template could break.
- Some website templates are not built to be search engine friendly.
- Antiquated coding. If the website template uses antiquated coding, it might not work in all browsers. Browser specific features are another sign of antiqated coding
Either way you will probably have to hire someone to help you design and setup your website. Many have tried to build a website, either by using free software, or software through their hosting company. Usually this results in a sub-par website, or you have had to spend large amounts of time learning how to build and code a website.
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