Self Built vs. Professionally Built Websites

There are many options for having a web presence in today’s day and age. These options range from building one’s own website to contracting with a large professional design firm such as Heritage Web Solutions to create the design.

Do-it-yourselfers often access one of several WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) programs with template designs, quick-fix buttons, and program-generated code that allows them to drag-and-drop images and content into place. These efforts are then called “a web site”.

In conveying an image of professionalism, the old adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” could accurately be altered to read “a picture is worth a thousand customers.” A poorly designed, amateur-looking website may in fact do more damage to the image and reputation to a business than having no website at all. “You must have a professional looking website if you want to be taken seriously.” (Entrepreneur, Oct 2003)

For those seeking professional design help, there are many options. As mentioned, large design firms such as Heritage Web Solutions cater to the small to medium sized businesses with limited budgets. There are also a myriad smaller designs firms. Either way, the professional firms are far more capable of creating the professional image a business needs. These professionals understand the latest trends—sites maintain a type of style that is popular across the Web similar to the way fashion designers push fashion trends on the public—the latest coding and programming norms, and they understand the nuances of the programs used to develop a site allowing them to truly design something unique, something tailored to the customer and industry, something that a business owner can be proud of. 

Lance Card, senior design manager at Heritage Web Solutions, sums it up succinctly: “The difference between maintaining a WYSIWYG-developed site versus one developed by a professional is the difference between driving a minivan and a Jaguar. People aren’t going to really notice one more minivan amidst the mass traffic they encounter, but that Jag is going to draw attention, and people are going to remember its clean lines, its sleek design, and its great composition.” Remember, the friendly staff at Heritage Web Solutions is only a phone call away.