Every business has a website. Every business needs a website. But is there a need for a new or small business to hire a web developer?
Below I have outlined the most common reasons not to hire a web developer. I have also offered reasons this may be short-sighted and cost you more than you think.
DIY is always an option
Wix, Shopify, GoDaddy. The list of website builders grows every day. Why hire a web developer when you can do it yourself and have a basic website in 20 minutes?
Because it is basic.
All these website builders offer hundreds of themes. It is possible to build a professional-looking website using those tools. Some web developers even use them as starting points to build their projects.
Building an effective and attractive website is a skill that takes time to learn. You still require a knowledge of coding or Photoshop to get the best out of them. The knowledge that web developers already have.
Learning these skills take time. Time that you could put into growing your business.
Vanity Project
I read a recent article detailing how investing valuable time and money into hiring a web developer is an unnecessary decision. The article makes the case that designing an effective website is an example of putting the horse before the cart.
Spending too much money and time on a new website is a sign of procrastination. It is a much more satisfying feeling to discuss a theme for a website or find the perfect graphic than investigating customer needs.
I trust that you’ve already done this. You are a smart young business that knows its customer’s needs and isn’t designing a website to avoid other work.
A web developer will listen to your business’ needs and quickly construct a website to suit.
Why should you pay when you can do it for a tenner?
The DIY web platforms above offer very competitive prices. However, your business will sacrifice 2 key things; visibility and adaptability.
These read like corporate buzz words - meaningless noises you are too busy to decipher. But in 2020 they need to be seriously considered.
Web developers will automatically make your website easier to find for your customers. A good developer will consider SEO and the speed of your website as they make it.
Businesses regularly hire web developers or marketers to make their websites more visible. This costs you consultancy fees or the inconvenience of having to build a new website later.
This costs money, time and may make it harder for customers to find your new website.
The online world is changing as we speak. When the next change in customer habits changes will a DIY website be able to react?
Are current DIY websites able to compete in the age of Alexa and Google Home? The question is no longer if these platforms will succeed but which will dominate.
When these AI assistants take over will your DIY website be able to compete with established competitors?
A web developer will build a website with a solid foundation. A solid foundation that lasts longer and is more capable of adapting to changing technology.
Conclusion
Website builders are quick and cheap options to give your business its first website. They are efficient and a good option for some projects. Hiring a web developer saves you time and money providing a professional website that will last.
Wehi has experience with all sizes of business but we specialise in giving a new business a head start.
Check out what we offer solopreneurs and small businesses.
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