Given all of today’s technology, it seems like almost everyone has a website but according to recent statistics, only half of small businesses are taking advantage of this vital tool. With the omnipresence of smartphones and other mobile devices, shouldn’t every company use custom web development to make a beautiful, user-friendly website?
But what exactly is custom website development and how does it differ from more traditional constructions of a basic internet site? While the word development is a noun the term feels more like a verb when Merriam-Webster defines it as, “the act, process or result of developing” and this sounds like an activity.
In this light, let’s take a closer look at the art of custom website development and what this actually equates to in terms of the powerful results available from these platforms.
Why Are Custom Websites So Important?
While there are a plethora of platforms available for both small businesses and consumers to build a website, a custom design is crucial for success in today’s digitally drenched society. Attempting to construct these sites on one of the many free platforms available on the internet is a huge mistake for a number of different reasons.
Perhaps one of the biggest ways these DIY options disappoint and don’t deliver with today’s consumers is they tend to have a very average, template-like appearance. There’s a real cookie-cutter feel to them and those stock photos appear so posed and cheesy.
This is why a custom web presence is so important when you consider nearly 40% of consumers won’t engage with a website if it doesn’t have an appealing design or layout. Your business is unique, the products and services you provide are superior, one-of-a-kind and these concepts need to clearly stand giving your company a competitive edge.
What’s the Difference Between Custom Web Development and Design?
In a nutshell, a web designer’s job was briefly described above and it encompasses the way a site is laid out to make it aesthetically pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, custom web developers who are sometimes referred to as programmers, their work is more complex.
Using specific strategies and steps leading to success, custom web developers take the design that was created and build a more fully functioning, user-friendly website. Some of the valuable and important web development services they provide include:
- High-quality mobile optimization for the best performance on these devices
- Adding plug-ins and apps for a more friendly web experience
- CTA (Call To Action) options in highly-visible locations for higher conversion rates
- Ensuring faster page load times to decrease bounce rates
- Implementing superior security measures to retain consumer trust
Ultimately, web designers breathe new life into a website by converting a somewhat static layout into a dynamic and productive tool using custom web development stragies. This is also accomplished by converting existing images into functional parts of the site, inserting content sliders along with active areas for hyperlinks, buttons, and other interactive elements.
What About SEO and HTML?
Ensuring a website is performing at a top-notch level when it comes to better, higher-ranking search engine results (aka SEO or Search Engine Optimization techniques) are confusing at best. Entire books have been written on the subject, but by the time they’re published, it’s highly likely these strategies are already outdated with thousands of updated algorithms being released annually.
When HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is created inside websites during the construction process, SEO practices are built into this figuratively foreign language. They quietly perform in the background when properly implemented by custom website developers who put them into place to ensure the site is being recognized when communicating with search engine giants like Google.
What’s the Best Choice For a Custom Developed Site?
In many cases, consumers can cut out the middleman (or woman) and contact a professional, custom website company that has a solid background in both design and development. This is an excellent option for those starting from scratch with no online presence.
For those who already have a website in place and are actively seeking more success from this platform, the choice is still the same when making this vital decision. Either way, you’re already in the right place for the best web development solutions right here at Red8Interactive.
Our trusted custom web development services will deliver a number of positive results from reaching additional customers through better search engine results to more effective marketing strategies. We look forward to hearing from you soon either by email or call us directly at (415) 906-2411 and we’ll discuss how to boost your business online.
Author: James Hipkin
CEO, Managing Director
James brings over 30 years of professional sales, marketing, and marketing consultation services to the table. Serving global brands along with small businesses, Hipkin leads a highly-skilled team of full-time developers, producers, and project managers who are committed to your success.
An excellent communicator and inventive problem-solver, his creative vision and bottom-line sensibility have proven successful at building productive, long-term partnerships with both employees and clients.