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When you’re just starting with creating a website for your business, you have two options available. The first is to use a generic, off-the-shelves website builder that designs a website for you. And second is to hire a custom web design company to create a unique website for you.
But how do you select a better option for you? Is custom design better than generic design? This article explains why a custom website may be a better option for you.
What is a Custom Web Design?
Custom web design refers to the process of creating websites and web pages that are specifically catered to the requirements of a business. So before designing your website, the agency must learn about your business requirements and competitive landscape. Without this knowledge, it’s not possible to create custom websites. So, getting in touch with a company offering web design in Melbourne, or wherever you are, will help you not just build your website but boost business growth to new heights.
On the other hand, generic web design doesn’t take into consideration any business requirement. The companies develop web pages and hand them over to you. So if you’re opting for generic web development, you’ll have little to no control over the result. You’d have to accept, however, the website is designed and created.
While each design has its pros and cons, there are a few reasons that make custom design a better option.
Build and Own Your Image
If you’re building a website for branding, then hands down, custom web design is the better choice. In the book 22 Immutable Laws of Branding, Laura Ries and Al Ries explain “The Law of Generic.”
According to this law, genericity is the fastest route to a branding failure. You cannot be generic in your approach and expect to build a brand. You cannot afford to have a generic name nor a generic product.
Therefore, you must invest unhesitatingly in custom web development. This will tailor the UX and UI to your brand voice. If your brand is about environmental impact, it will have more green components on your website than grey or red. Similarly, if your brand voice is pleasant, yellow components will help you deliver the brand voice.
Include Specific Features
When you’re selecting generic web development, you have no control over the development process. This means the agency or the software designing your websites decides what features and components to include. So you’ll get a generic website that looks similar to your competitor or any other business.
With a customized web design, you have full control over the development process. You select the features that you want your website to have.
So if you want social media buttons at the top, you can have them. If you want a price calculator on your home page, you can have it. If you want a contact form just below the opening paragraph, it’s possible with custom development, but not generic.
This way, you can create features that support your business requirements.
Bring Down the Cost
The direct effect of designing only the features that you need is reduced cost. Some companies may charge based on the number of pages and features they have included on the website. So, you end up paying for all of them.
With custom development, you only pay for the pages or components that you develop. So if you’re creating a 5-page website, you only pay for the five pages.
Page builders charge a monthly fee. This is irrespective of what and how many pages you build. So by designing the features that you need, you bring down the cost.
Not every company is capable of developing custom websites for branding. That’s because it requires expertise in visual identity and creative design. By hiring a custom web design company, you can help your business stand out.