5 Indicators You May Need A Professional Web Designer

The functionality of a website is similar to a retail storefront. If the windows capture the window shopper’s attention, their chances of stepping inside increase. The same follows for a well-designed website—the more it appeals to your audience, the longer they stay on it, and ultimately convert!

Nowadays, a professional website is crucial for individuals and businesses. However, building and/or maintaining your website can be challenging at times, especially if you need more technical expertise or resources.

In this article we discuss five indicators that can help you decide whether or not you need a web developer. At end of the day, we are all trying to protect our most valuable asset – time!

1. You lack technical experience.

One of the first signs that you may need a web developer is if you are not “tech savvy” or lack the technical skills required for website development.

Nowadays, you don’t need to know code to build a website. However, there are many technical components to a web build. These include: responsive design, UX (user experience) techniques, conversion focus, and other design considerations.

“But what about DIY sites like WordPress and Wix?”

Yes, many DIY sites provide step-by-step guides and templates for users to create their own websites. I would encourage anybody who got some time, to give it a go. Why not?

Your ability to create a user-friendly and functional website will depend heavily on your own skills and vision. For example, e-commerce sites require the integration of a shopping cart and security for capturing credit card payments. Many template sites will do this for you, but often you are “stuck” with their design. Modifying a “template” site can be frustrating and extremely time consuming.

A web developer can provide the necessary expertise to navigate these complexities and create a website that aligns with your business’s goals and vision.

2. Your site has custom functionality requirements.

Template websites are perfect for individuals who just want the basics. However, if the template site you are considering does not have “that feature” you require, you may want to hire a professional. Based on your specific requirements, a web developer can create tailored solutions and help you achieve the desired functionality for your website.

For example, you may want to integrate a calendar into your site or require a custom form that includes conditional logic. Another example, is you want  a “membership” type site where visitors can signup and have access to certain “hidden” pages of your website.

A website can infinitely be customized, it just depends on each person/businesses unique situation.

3. Your site needs to be responsive and look great on any device.

Our phones are becoming the primary method of searching for information online, with over 50% of users preferring to use their phones when browsing the web. And because of this, having a responsive website design is crucial to your business’s success.

Some DIY sites offer the ability to optimize the site for mobile users. But often neglect screen sizes in-between. For example WIX websites can look great on desktop and mobile, but “cut off” text and images on tablets. Why would anybody be OK with that?

Because you need a website to drive business, a responsive design ensures that your website looks and functions well on ALL devices, increases your website’s reach, and provides a seamless user experience.

If you need help making your template website mobile-friendly and optimizing it for mobile search, it may indicate that you need a web developer.

4. You need to address performance and page load issues.

Over 20% of users will leave a website if a page doesn’t load in less than five seconds. That means you have very little room for error and slow loading pages. Often, slow loading pages are due to the following:

• Large video files
• Multiple images or large images
• Poor hosting
• In-effective caching

A slow-loading website can result in a negative user experience and loss of potential business. There are several steps an experienced web developer can take to ensure your site not only looks great but is blazing fast!

If you lack the experience to troubleshoot a slow loading site, your best bet is hiring a web developer. They will be able to assess and optimize your website’s performance to ensure it loads quickly, functions smoothly, and provides a positive user experience.

5. You have security and data protection concerns.

As users continue to purchase products and services online, the threat of having sensitive information stolen increases. As a result, a secure website is paramount, especially when cyber threats and data breaches are almost inevitable.

Your customers trust you to provide a positive and secure experience when they fill out your contact form or purchase your products. So, if you are concerned about the security of your website and user data, you’ll need to take security measures. The most basic method is to install a SSL certificate, you can learn more about SSL here.

Protecting your website is critical and something a web developer is accustomed to. They can ensure that your website follows best practices for data protection and privacy regulations, providing peace of mind for you and your users. Not to mention mitigate the risk of your site getting hacked!

Hiring a web developer is the kind of investment that saves you time and money in the long run.

Remember, a website is often the first point of contact for potential customers or visitors, and making a positive impression is essential. By hiring a web developer, you can ensure that your website stands out from the competition, functions smoothly, and provides an optimal user experience, ultimately helping you achieve your online goals.

If you are unsure whether you need a web developer, consider the signs mentioned in this article and make an informed decision to ensure the success of your website in the online world. As always feel free to set up a Free Consultation, and I would be happy to discuss some options for your business. Our web design agency is located in Livonia, Michigan and are ready to start working for you!

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