If you have a business, you probably have a website. The two things go hand-in-hand. On Google alone, people across the world do 5.6 billion searches per day. Yes, you read that right: 5.6 billion searches. Each of those searches is a problem - a problem your business may just have the solution to fix. So when it’s time to build your website to capture some of other searches, there are a lot of factors to consider to optimize your website for the best lead generation possible. As you try to decide whether to buy a templated website or build a custom website, here are some things to consider in your decision-making process:
Design Capabilities
This factor is an obvious component to your decision-making process. It goes without saying that templates come with design limitations; however, it’s important to consider how they limit your capabilities. While it could keep you from integrating exciting graphics and animations, it could also limit your creative freedom required to express your brand’s personality. Likewise, when buying templated website, you run the risk of owning a website that looks like hundreds or even thousands of other websites using the same template. On the flipside, with a custom website, the sky's the limit. Your brand expression can be anything you want it to be AND you have talented and experienced website designers providing their expertise when you need it most
Accessibility
In 2016, nearly 60% of web searches were conducted on a mobile device and if you’re anything like us, your cell phone is just an extension of your body. If your website isn’t mobile friendly, our only question for you is: WHY NOT? It could be because your templated website doesn’t have built-in mobile responsiveness. Many tempted websites don’t and poor website responsiveness often leads to a higher webpage bounce rate. Yikes! Give your website every opportunity to impress your visitors with a custom-built website. When you work with experts in web design and development, you know you’re getting a product that has undergone all stress tests necessary to ensure its will function on any device and any browser your visitor may use.
Cost
Cost is a huge deciding factor for future website owners. Many start-ups and new businesses will opt for a templated websites because of their budget-friendly monthly subscriptions. But like anything in life, you get what you pay for. This includes all the limitations mentioned in this blog but it also means you don’t have the support you need when trying to make changes or your coding practice goes a little too far. Your website is an investment that can open up your business to new opportunities and prospects that can only be captured through keyword searches on a web browser. When you have the opportunity to splurge a little on your website, always choose the growth-driving solution - a custom-built website.
Search Engine Optimization Friendly
We talk about SEO a lot (like here and here and here) because it is one of the absolute most critical ways to capturing qualified leads and attracting them to your website. SEO is Marketing 101. It’s the key driver of organic web traffic. It’s a necessity. And we’re here to tell you that templated websites do not always have all the factors to allow for great SEO performance. Always writing with keywords can only get you so far when your website is slow and lacks the security features needed to help search engines like Google trust your website. Custom-build websites are made with SEO performance capabilities in mind to help you climb to the top of your industry and top of search results!
The value a great website can bring to your business is truly priceless. We’ve had tremendous success watching businesses soar after launching brand new, custom-built websites that are designs to suit their unique needs - our case studies don’t lie! Reach the qualified leads that will help you grow your business while blowing away the competition with stunning and one-of-a-kind graphic design when you choose to own a custom-built website. Connect with us to learn how we can meet all of your business’s needs with a new website.