Today’s website tools and free templates make it easy for anyone to set up a website. However, website development can improve website functionality and rank better for SEO.
There are numerous website tools and content management systems out there that make standing up a website simple. Most people could open a WordPress, Squarespace or Wix site without any training. And while these websites might check the box for having online resources, website development can improve SEO, implement a custom website design and enhance overall functionality.
Website development is a somewhat misunderstood practice today. It is less about purchasing a domain name and going through the setup wizard within your chosen website platform. Development focuses more on the next step in the process of honing and improving your website. This could mean a completely custom template or adapting and improving a template you already use.
Here’s a look at some of the ways website development can make your website more professional and help your business reach its goals.
Each business has different needs. That’s why pre-built templates can only go so far. If you want a video that auto-plays in the hero section of the website, unique animations on an element during hover or other custom features, website development can make these visions a reality.
Interactive websites draw in the user and invite them to stay and explore.
Adding video elements, animations and neat features they might not see elsewhere can improve your time on page and direct them toward your goal for their visit.
Additionally, some businesses need even more in-depth custom features, such as customer login areas or membership websites. It’s imperative that businesses protect customer data, which website development services can help ensure. Added layers of security and privacy are not generally built into standard templates, which is why it’s important to counsel an expert.
Many WordPress templates start out with a codebase that lacks speed and performance. This hinders your ability to rank well for SEO because search engines emphasize website speed. Heavy code from a pre-built WordPress template can weigh down your site and website development can help.
Some out-of-the-box templates for websites feature structures or other back-end information that affects the search engine’s ability to read the information, ranking you lower. Website development can clean up these structures and set your website up for long-term success.
Some website templates lack the necessary modules to tell your brand story effectively. Your goal is to highlight your product benefits to drive website visitors into becoming customers. And because each company is different, pre-built templates can make this challenging.
When working with a website developer, you should discuss your goals and what you’re trying to accomplish with your website. A website developer and designer can provide best practices and advice to make these goals a reality.
To get started with custom website design, contact New Light Digital. We’ll work with you to create a stunning website that accomplishes your goals and engages your visitors.