Do I need a fully custom website?
The short answer is no. Depending on the needs of your business, most small to medium sized businesses can budget for a semi-custom website that has the ability to grow with them. Read on below to learn more.
Do more. With less.
Do not shy away from investing in your online image because you are overwhelmed and think you need a fully custom website to even start. There are options available at every price point.
I will start this conversation by saying you get what you pay for. That is most definitely the case when it comes to website design, including your branding and client facing message. The world of web design is full of various tiers and platforms and there is really no “one size fits all” approach. What you do need is an aesthetically pleasing website on a platform that can handle the volume. There is way more to what makes a website work for a business than simply the design and how it looks. It must function for both the business owner and the site visitors who are all potential clients. Defining your goals and working with a trusted partner can help you prioritize the needs of your business when it comes to design as well as what fits into your budget.
In a previous blogpost I mentioned a Podcast I love to follow, The Second Life Podcast by Hillary Kerr. I guess maybe because I am in my “second life” from a career perspective, and I enjoy following the fashion world (a random side note but I promise I have a point). The episode I was listening to was the one with Shea McGee where she talked about where she started and how she grew her business. One thing she mentioned jumped out to me. Probably because I am a web designer but it also got me thinking about how this is something that might deter someone from getting started with their business website which makes it worthy of a blog post and subsequent discussion.
Shea mentioned how she got her start on Instagram because it was free. When she was ready to invest in a website, she spent $100K on a fully custom website. And guess what happened at launch? It crashed and burned with the developer no where to be found. And guess where her massively productive website is housed to this day after this unfortunate situation? None other than Shopify! That’s right. Even a company the size of McGee and Co. is fully functioning and functioning well on a very attainable platform for all business owners to get started on. Now is her website very customized, 100% yes! However, the point is you can get your start on a Squarespace or Shopify (if you are heavy in e-commerce) and have a very professional website that can grow with you. Heck you can even DIY your site yourself if you have the time to learn your way around. At some point, as you grow, you will probably choose to invest in your website but don’t let the cost or overwhelm stop you from getting started.
Which brings me to my next point, you do not need to hire BOTH a website designer and developer to have a beautiful site that represents your business well and is easy to navigate and update. Most businesses can budget to work with a designer like myself who also helps hone in on messaging and the brand aesthetic as part of their process with the ability to code where needed to tweak the overall look and functionality of a Squarespace or Shopify site. A website does not have to be overcomplicated and cost you tens of thousands of dollars for your business to succeed.
Do you get what you pay for when hiring a web designer? Yes, for sure. There are most definitely going to be less expensive options than me available as well as others charging double or triple my rate. Again the point here is that you can find an option at most any budget so do not let the cost of a website deter you from starting a business or leveling up the one you already have with an improved site and brand experience.
Cheering you on from the sidelines and available to help if you are ready to take the next step with your business! Please reach out:
