subject: Cheap vs. Professional Websites [print this page] Cheap vs. Professional WebsitesCheap vs. Professional Websites
Web design companies are often subject to the following response when they meet prospective clients, "I can buy a website for less than 20, why should I spend 500 on one from you?"Price is and will always be the number one consideration when people are making the decision to purchase. If they know where they can get it for less, they'll go there. Once upon a time, not too long ago, the idea of someone having to set up their own website was over most peoples' heads. Nowadays though, the average level of understanding the internet is pretty good. Moreover, there are so many online instructional resources, that if people should face problems, they have a multitude of websites they can visit that will help teach them how to get out of their pickle. It is not uncommon for web design companies to be contacted by these sceptics, a few months after they've tried setting up their own website, because they've faced a multitude of problems and they want a professional's help.A few things professionals will think of that most consumers won't:1. Layout:The layout of a website is very important. Web designers are artists. They understand where someone's eye goes first and how to direct it to the most important parts of a web page.2. Navigation:Website navigation considers layout and builds in call to action buttons, to make it easy for visitors to do exactly what you want them to do on your site. If for example, the site in question is ecommerce, than a web designer will create a very clear path-to-purchase. Website owners should think of clicks as commitments, and therefore should make buttons very visible and try to provide some sort of incentive to get people to click- this will likely be articulated in the form of web content. 3. Balance:Content is a big part of websites, as are graphics. Designers understand how to balance a web page. They don't want to overwhelm their audience with too much text, too many videos, or too much high-tech graphics. With experience they learn how to assess what a web page is trying to achieve, and what the audience will take out of it. From there, they can build a well balanced web page.There are many websites that allow people to build free and easy pages, including about.me and flavors.me. Depending on what you're trying to build these might be all that you need. But if you require a company website, you're best off leaving it to the professionals, who will not only consider all the things you couldn't possibly know to think of, but they also have the technical know how to help you should your site malfunction.
