The Digital Landscape and Small Businesses

In an increasingly competitive digital landscape, having a robust online presence is incredibly important for small businesses. Your website serves as the virtual shopfront, making the first impression on potential customers. As an experienced web designer, I’ve seen how businesses with professional websites stand out, conveying trust and credibility.

The DIY Pitfall

Many small business owners are tempted by the idea of a DIY website to cut costs. Whilst they have their benefits, there are some pitfalls of this approach that can be significant. DIY websites often lack the finesse and functionality necessary to compete in the digital market. In my experience, businesses that initially opt for a DIY approach end up facing challenges in user experience, design aesthetics, and overall functionality.

Benefits of Using a Pro Web Designer

Expertise Factor

One of the primary reasons to choose a professional web designer is the expertise they bring to the table. Professionals are well-versed in the latest design trends, coding languages, and user experience principles. This knowledge ensures your website not only looks good but functions seamlessly across devices.

Customisation and Branding

Professional web designers understand the importance of customisation to align your website with your brand identity. Templates might offer convenience, but a personalised touch goes a long way in creating a memorable and unique online presence. Your website should reflect your brand’s personality and values. At activ, we pride ourselves on not relying on templates, but offering a tailored approach to all our clients.

User Experience and Navigation

User experience (UX) is a cornerstone of effective website design. A professional web designer focuses on creating an intuitive and enjoyable journey for visitors. From easy navigation to clear calls-to-action, every aspect is meticulously crafted to enhance the user experience. This is where the difference between a generic website and a professionally designed one truly shines.

SEO and Online Visibility

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is a complex yet crucial aspect of online success. Professional web designers incorporate SEO best practices seamlessly into the design process. From optimised content to strategic placement of keywords, a professionally designed website is more likely to rank higher on search engine results, increasing your online visibility.

Mobile Responsiveness

In the age of smartphones, ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is non-negotiable. Professional web designers prioritise mobile responsiveness, guaranteeing that your website looks and functions flawlessly on various devices. Ignoring this aspect could mean losing a significant portion of your potential audience.

Case Studies or Success Stories

Let’s explore a couple of our recent success stories from businesses that made the choice of hiring a professional web designer:

Tree Marhsalls. Tree Marshalls, a tree surgery business based in West Sussex, had an existing website, but they felt it fell short in terms of functionality and aesthetics. Within a couple of weeks, we launched a brighter and more engaging website with improved functionality, enabling Tree Marshalls to keep their website up to date in line with their developing business.

“I asked mark if he would be able to completely sort out my website. After having a bad experience with other companies I was worried about making the investment again. Well I am over the moon, the site is amazing the service and communication throughout is fantastic. I would highly recommend!” – Dillon Marshall, Tree Marshalls

The Shutter Works. Jack was starting his own business for a window shutter supply and fit within the Surrey area, and settled on one of activ’s new business startup packages to get his business marketing established at a cost effective price. The work included developing a logo which was then utilised to provide a web design that reflected this. We also setup his social media channels and provided a digital business card.

“My website has just been completed by Mark and team at activ, I couldn’t be more happy with the end result. They completed all the branding, website design and development, plus set up all my social media platforms. Throughout the whole process, Mark and the team were dead friendly and easy to work with, allowing me to input my own ideas and tweaks here and there, whiles themselves suggesting ideas along the way, and creating a very stylish and professional website for my business with the perfect amount of content and information for my potential clients to view and follow. Very happy and feel rest assured that activ will also be doing my hosting, maintenance and all SEO work for the website, to optimise my work volume and bring in potential leads, whiles trying to expand and establish my company to its best potential. The overall costs were very fair and value for money considering the very satisfying and high end results.”