Custom website design
Getting the most out of web development services for your custom website design
Let’s face it; there are many affordable web design solutions out there today. Web design is becoming more attainable for the masses, from the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), WordPress, to drag-and-drop style editors such as Squarespace and Wix. But before you enlist the help of an enthusiastic amateur who can help design your site on the cheap, you might want to stop and consider the implications of your investment both now and in the future.
Fifty percent of consumers believe that website design is crucial to the overall brand. If half of your client base considers your web presence to be essential, it’s worth enlisting the support of a specialist team for website development. Add in the requirement for specialist functionality, and it makes sense to work with an expert. When creating a custom website, a web development agency might still use a CMS such as WordPress. However, their knowledge of the system, including the ability to streamline the solution by removing unnecessary functionality that slows things down, can mean the difference between a website that looks good and one that looks good and performs well.
Reasons clients come to us for custom website design:
- Modern design that’s clean, fresh and stands out against the competition
- Better back-end functionality to support content marketing
- Better UX & targeted SEO
- Innovative touchpoints for lead generation
- Opportunities to boost conversion
- Specific features
- Decreased bounce rates
- Future-proof system
- Decades of combined professional and industry experience
of consumers believe that website design is crucial to the overall brand
Streamlined system
Fewer features for better performance
Established brands will generally understand the technical elements they require in a new website. For example, a specialist database or specific third-party integration. A specialist web development company can make sure that there is no unnecessary functionality that could slow the site down. Off-the-peg themes often take a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, including everything that could possibly be required. This often results in unnecessary plug-ins and functionality that remain in the background once the site is built. A specialist development team works with clients to supply only what is required. Fast loading times are essential when considering that a page response delay of just one second can cause a 7 per cent reduction in conversions.
That is not to say that the variety of custom themes, for example, is limited. Technically, it’s unlimited. The solution is built specifically for the brand and integrates with the systems your business uses, rather than relying on a pre-built plugin or one that works correctly with a chosen off-the-shelf theme. The site’s back-end is wholly focused on the client’s unique needs to ensure high performance. Performance can be demonstrated to clients as required; through scoring systems such as Lighthouse and Analyse.
Custom functionality
Enhanced lead generation and conversion rates
A professional web development company will work with clients to understand the brand and objectives behind the brief. Core themes and service areas are a significant consideration in the user journey within a well-designed site. In addition, the client’s target audiences can have a considerable impact on the original sitemap. For example, sections for repeat customers or job seekers may warrant a specialist section and be placed into an appropriate navigation section.
Thought-leading content is a key component of modern brands’ marketing strategies and content placement. Gated content and content updates will need to be factored into the design to support lead generation and increased conversion rates. For an experienced team, user experience (UX) is a forethought, not an afterthought. A good user interface can increase a website’s conversion rates by up to two hundred per cent.
Futureproof solution
Low maintenance solutions that last
The majority of clients that come to us want a website that is easy to update and maintain (sometimes in-house, although maintenance is offered and recommended). To ensure longevity, we develop the majority of our sites in WordPress. WordPress CMS is a familiar system for most clients, making it easy for content creators to upload fresh content within a branded theme. It’s also a system that is well supported, giving clients peace of mind that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. Over 60 per cent of all websites use WordPress CMS.
Without regular maintenance, all sites will eventually cease to function as effectively as they should or be as secure as they should be. However, by opting for a professionally designed custom website design, there will be less to update and less to go wrong.
We recommend gathering the following information to find the right partner and get the most out of your new website. It will help your web development agency to react to your brief with speed and accuracy:
- Give an overview of your company and the project – what do you want to get out of it?
- Outline your likes/dislikes of your and competition websites – what don’t you want moving forward
- Detail your company objectives, target audience, service areas, keywords and competitors – this will help the agency to understand your goals
- Any technical requirements? Be sure to highlight bespoke functionality requirements or specific SEO or social media requirements. Do you want to utilise a particular CMS? And will your site need to integrate with third-party systems?
- Any expectations – does functionality or content need to meet third-party regulations or testing
Clients come to us at Feel Created with briefs of all kinds. Some are super-specific, and some are incredibly vague with a need for guidance. Quite often, a quick conversation can result in a project-enhancing scope change because we can help find a better solution for our client’s unique needs. Contact us if you’d like advice, we’ll be happy to talk through your requirements wherever you are on your web development journey.