Having an online platform is critical for success in this day and age. It allows you to reach potential customers at all hours of the day and plays an important role in creating a professional and reputable image – indeed, not having a website can tell your clients that you aren’t a legitimate company.

When it comes to building your digital presence, you have two choices: DIY web design or hiring the services of a professional. There are a number of factors that can influence your decision, but we always recommend professional web design.

How do you want your customers to perceive your brand?

Your website is the first interaction many potential customers will have with your business – which is why it’s critical that it leaves a positive lasting impression. Difficult navigation, confusing content, bland graphics, and a confusing colour scheme are all factors which will lead to your customers leaving your site before making a purchase or requesting a quote. With professional web design, you can be confident the finished result is something you can be proud of.

How much can you afford to spend?

There is no denying it – budget is generally one of the biggest influences when deciding between professional and DIY web design. And whilst taking the DIY route will definitely be more affordable at the time, this won’t ring true into the future. You’ll be faced with unexpected issues, from bugs to security breaches, that will require the assistance of an experienced team.

What are your current and future needs?

If you’re only just starting out, you may be hesitant to picture your business ten years into the future – but this is a critical aspect of designing a new website! When undertaking a DIY project, there is often little scope for scalability; if you need to add new pages or sell your products online, you may be forced to create an entirely new site each time you grow as a company.

Will you need to make small changes frequently?

Many people are under the misconception that if they partner with a professional web design company, they won’t be able to make any changes to their site themselves. This couldn’t be further from the truth! A reputable business will provide CMS (content management system) training, allowing you to make changes to the text, graphics and even delete pages as needed.

What is your skill level?

Lastly, if you’re still considering a DIY web design, stop and think about your own skill level. Professional companies have skilled individuals that have all received higher education in their relative fields – from graphic design to computer science to digital marketing. Do you think you have the individual experience to match the skills of each and every team member? Trust us, your new website will reflect this.

As you can see, hiring a professional web design company is the right choice for the vast majority of businesses. Even if you’re looking to save money, you may end up costing yourself more in the long run due to lost sales and pricey updates. Even with the assistance of a template programme, you may find your new DIY web design can’t be scaled to meet the needs of your growing business into the future.

Make the right decision for your company and partner with an experienced team – won’t just create an attractive and functional site, but they can assist with content writing, SEO and digital marketing campaigns too; all of which run hand-in-hand with your new website.