Website Creation – Up to the Pros?

I’ve been in this business long enough to hear the inevitable ending of two common stories when it comes to website creation…

Story 1: My Friend Will Build My Website

This story goes something like this…

“Someone I know from ____ says that they do web design for fun and that they’ll only charge me $300 to create my website.”

Or the really good friend offers it for FREE. Even better you think. I’m going to have an awesome website for free!

I’m sure you can guess what I’m going to stay next… two common phrases come to mind:

“You get exactly what you pay for”
“If it sounds too good to be true it IS too good to be true”

After working with hundreds of clients over the years I have found that approximately 95% of the time the “friend building my website” ends in serious disappointment. The website doesn’t convey the value or quality that is necessary to truly stand out or sell your services well. It ultimately looks unprofessional and does nothing to bring you business.

Your site never goes live

Guess what happens to the friend who will do it for free? They have xyz going on…but then their kid gets the flu. After that it might be “sorry work is so busy”. You might here “it’s the holiday time”.  Before you know it six months has gone by but you are not any closer to going live.

When someone is creating a website for nothing or very little to nothing your website becomes the last priority in their life. 

Story 2: I’m Going to Try to Create My Own Website

If you are very comfortable with HTML, CSS and PHP then by all means YES you can give it a try. If you don’t know what those three things are I can almost guarantee that you are not going to be able to create a professional website. I have seen lots of really bad and really good websites. 99% of the time I can tell that a client created the site on their own.

I understand how tempting it is to try and cut costs in business…

Remember that your website truly is THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect of your business. If a potential client comes to your website and it looks average, cheap, or simply doesn’t showcase your expertise, this can actually deter them from calling and therefore become a major obstacle to your growth. Yes they are judging the book by the cover, just as you do when you visit other websites.

Here is what I tell my clients. If you look at your website as it is now, would you be intrigued to pick up the phone and call? Would you fill out that consultation form or would you buy that product? Critique your own website – you know what is wrong with it!

At first, I was apprehensive in choosing an outside web designer for my new website as I was planning to design my website myself and was worried about cost. Looking back, I could have never come close to creating the site Rachel built. Her services were a great investment for my business. Not only did Rachel make my vision for the site a reality, but she was patient, responsive and professional throughout the entire process. She listened to my needs for the site and ensured I was satisfied with the end product. Additionally, I know Rachel is accessible if I have any questions in the future. It was a true pleasure working with Rachel and her team, and I highly recommend her services for anyone looking to build a personalized and professional website.
~ Joe Zagame, https://mytherapynyc.com

How much time will you waste?

I have taken over the website design for many small business owners who spent hours and hours trying to design their own site, but eventually gave up because they could not get it to look the way they want. Just recently I took over a project that someone had been working on their own for THREE years.

When I talk to business owners I cannot stress the importance of a strong professional website enough! If there is one thing you should spend money on in your business it is your website! In our “day and age” your potential clients/customers are looking for you online.

A Professional Web Designer Matters

Many web designers do not look at the design process through the lens of marketing and client attraction. Most designers are technicians who will basically do whatever you tell them to do–no more and no less. We incorporate many elements that make your website much more effective as a marketing tool.  The bottom line is that you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to your website, as it will literally make or break your business for years to come. What may be cheaper up front may cost you MUCH more down the road!

Schedule a Consultation Here

Rachel Muraca
WordPress Web Designer
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