Getting a custom web site design is the best Web solution you can get, right? Perhaps not, since a full custom developed web site may not always be the best solution for your Calgary company’s web site. Some important factors to consider are development timeline, budget and versatility and ease of upgrading. While having a unique custom designed website is the best scenario for your Calgary company, you probably don’t need a 100% custom solution that is built from scratch just for you.
No, the reality is you can get a custom-built website that offers the best of both worlds: A custom design and layout, plus ability to add and manage unique content to the website, while also making use of an all-in-one solution, like an open source CMS (Content Management System)like Joomla! or Drupal. In truth, even developers who build custom sites from “scratch”rely heavily on code chunks and structures that have been created and revised by other programmers over the years. Consider the Lightbox effect as a perfect example of re-usable code that is easily adapted to pretty much any web presence. This is possibly the closest thing to the unstoppable force of the Internet, the ability for people, and companies,to build off of each other’s success in developing successful, functional media; and those areas that don’t perform well can be re-worked until they do.
So, if you are looking for a custom web site, here are some tips to help you get the best solution for your budget:
- Focus on getting the look of the site custom designed by a professional web designer who knows and applies key Web and GUI usability issues, design standards and organic SEO practices.The easiest way to do this is to look for a Web designer with a portfolio of previous web design examples that match the concept you have in your head.
- If possible, choose custom, professional photography over stock photography. While you may believe this to be a dearer option versus the economic prices of royalty-free images, little compares to the unique and direct impression of locally produced photography. For example, if you are a Calgary company who has a Calgary Website, your local visitors will feel more affinity with a web presence bearing familiar, Calgary-based photography. There are many photographers with digital cameras available for hire these days, so make use of them and find a Calgary photographer whose portfolio complements your intended style and price. Of course, royalty-free images are a boon if you need a quick low cost solution; you can always opt for custom photos once your website is online.
- Decide what the site’s core function will be when it first goes live, but also what you want it to do a few years down the road. Discuss all ideas with your Web developer, because even if you don’t implement these ideas straight away, the designer can make allowances within the design for future growth.
- Find a development platform that do everything you can think of, from the first start-up phase to the full fledged e-commerce money maker you envision to be managing once the site is up and running. If you are sure that the platform, for example, an e-commerce shopping cart site or a more universally-designed CMS (Content Management System), you will be secure in knowing you can efficiently expand the website within the platform you have originally built the web site, rather than having to build a whole new site to accommodate the new features.
- If possible, find a Calgary Web design team who provides services beyond the design of the site. While it is great to find a specialist in any field, it is also more streamlined to find a web team who can provide all facets of Web development and web marketing for your company for the length of your foreseeable future .
- Consider building your site in two or three development phases to help ease start-up costs and to get your site up as quickly as possible. If you are working on starting your business, or have a business running and are just starting to venture into your Web presence, producing a complex e-commerce solution with blogs, galleries and Facebook tie-ins may well hinder you if you’re unable to manage and expand every aspect. Learn your CMS interface first, your Web development partner should be able to provide proper training, then expand the site and your skill set one stage at a time.
- Aim for longevity- some Web designers pride themselves on “contemporary”design trends that will become passe in a matter of months. The Web design elements will appear dated more quickly than clothing fashions. Consider the difference between style and trends – style is timeless while fashion trends come and go. Find a Web designer who can bring a style to your site that will stand the test of contemporary and future Web design fashion trends by sticking to clean, professional, intuitive web design.
- Be careful to not invest too much in Flash media unless it helps to your bottom line. The days of flash intros have largely passed, so you really don’t need flash to create a great first impression. But Flash animation can provide a superior interface and information flow if used properly. Flash is also a great way to integrate FLV or Flash-based videos into your website. Today you can produce similar effects to Flash by using JQuery and DHTML effects.
The best approach is to find a Web design team with whom you can comfortably connect, who can produce your site to match your initial vision and who can work with you in developing the web presence through ongoing expansion and revitalization. A properly built Web site can readily be an investment that should hold its own for up to half a decade, if it has a strong foundation, it will give you a strong return on investment.
If you are looking for a local Calgary Web Design company, please check out www.blinddrop.com for full Web development and Graphic design services.
