A Great Website Design is Now a Necessity
Table of Contents
First impressions matter.
Your website is often the first interaction someone has with your business.
It’s an audition for your company to earn the trust and business of potential customers.
Opinions are formed and the decision to stay and explore your site or bounce to something different is over before you know it.
This is not ground-breaking news to you.
You know your business needs a great website.
The problem is, you’re not a website designer and you’ve had so-so luck finding a great website partner to create that digital extension of your business you know is so important.
Fear not. We can help you figure all of this out.
Why Are So Many Websites Bad?
Very few websites are maintained regularly to keep the design and content fresh.
Most websites have been barely touched since the last redesign nightmare of a project.
If this is you, do not worry. You’re not alone.
The mere thought of the last time you designed your website instantly triggers anxiety and cold sweats. A supposed small project turned into an 18-month fiasco where you spent a lot more time than you ever imagined building a website that you were sort of happy with in the end.
This experience is very common. You find a website designer offering a very reasonable price to redesign your website. They do a fairly good job presenting some design ideas and putting together the shell of your website.
Now, the only thing left to do is add the text and photos to the pages. This is where the project stalls out.
You have countless photos of your work on a cloud drive (somewhere) and all the knowledge imaginable inside your head. You don’t have time to sort through all those photos and find ones that fit the specs the website designer asked for. You also do not have the capacity to sit down and create compelling text copy for your website. But, you’re the expert and no one knows your business better than you.
You slowly chip away at getting all the content over to the designer.
Pressed for time, you go with a slightly modified version of your current website text copy and some stock photos that look a little more polished than the dated stock photos on your current website.
This is not the website you dreamed of but the project has been going on long enough and you desperately need to replace your old, dusty website with anything… even if it’s only a moderate upgrade.
Push comes to shove and you finally give the green light to launch this newer website.
The site launches and you feel an instant wave of relief that the project is in the rearview mirror.
After all of that, you don’t want to think about your website for a long time… and you don’t.
This unfortunate tale is all too common and ends up costing you in the long run.
The Cost of a Bad Website Design
Some businesses have an endless stream of referrals pouring in every week and not a worry in the world about attracting new customers or getting repeat business from previous customers.
If this is you, kudos. You have the green light to continue ignoring your website design.
Everyone else is out there hustling trying to get in front of as many of the right customers as possible to grow their business.
The grind is real and every inch counts. Don’t let a bad website design make this more difficult than it already is.
Having a bad (or even mediocre) website can do more harm than you know. Here are some of the ways that a bad website can hurt your business.
People quickly leave the site
Wasted advertising dollars
Missed conversion opportunities
Losing sales to well-polished competitors
Lower reputation and brand trust
You cannot afford to waste precious resources (time and money) because your website is not doing it’s job.
This is time you could spend…
- Taking care of customers.
- On that endless to-do list.
- Putting out daily fires that pop up the moment the lights turn on.
- Enhancing your product or service to be the best it can be.
- Growing your business and making more money.
- … maybe even having the free-time to do something fun or relax.
Your website should be looked at as another member of your team with a specific job that it does every single day.
You Deserve a Website That Does It’s Job
You need a polished website that has the perfect combination of text and images that clearly show potential customers how you can solve their problems or achieve their goals.
It should be…
- A website that is more than your company’s quickly outdated digital brochure.
- A resource where potential customers can learn how to properly research and evaluate the products and services you provide and make a sound decision.
- A polished first impression you know will give your brand instant credibility.
- The centerpiece of your entire marketing strategy addressing the needs of both the first-time visitors and your most loyal repeat customers.
To achieve this greatness, you need to find the right website design company that can make this happen.
A website design company with a proven track record and process for creating beautiful websites that connect with your customers.
Someone experienced with extracting your expertise and converting that into the digital extension of your business.
How Do You Choose the Best Website Design Company
One of the most important and difficult choices in building a new website is finding the right website design company to work with.
If you’ve ever built a website before, you know that not all website designers are the same.
Here are some things you should look for in a website design company:
A Well-Defined Website Design Process
Website design projects have multiple phases with defined action items for each step of the process. A dependable website design company is going to have all the action items of your project spelled out with defined responsibilities along the way.
The Ability to Create a Design that Represents Your Business
Understand if the website designer plans to use a template to create your website or will create a custom design that represents your business. Are website templates bad? No, they can be a great way to save a little money but will limit how much you can make the website design unique to your business. Custom designed websites deliver the best end-product.
An Understanding of Your Customer’s Buying Cycle
Your website is more than just code and pixels. The layout, images, words, and flow of your website should all be created based on how your ideal customers research and purchase your products and services.
Expertise in Creating Text and Visual Content
This is where most websites fall short. Design is an important part of building a website but equal, if not more, time and energy should go into the copywriting and visual elements like photos, illustrations, and video. Unless you’re a master wordsmith or photoshop guru, make sure the website company you choose can shine in this space.
Coding Knowledge to Implement Integrations and Custom Functionality
Too many website designers rely entirely on WordPress templates and plug-ins to build sites. You are going to want to work with someone that can customize code or troubleshoot hiccups that will definitely pop up during or after the build.
The Capacity to Build Your Website Within the Agreed Upon Time Frame
Even the most basic website project can take forever if one person is responsible for all phases of the project. Especially when they have more than one client.
Examples of Previous Work and Client References
Ask to see some of their work and a list of clients you can contact about their experience working with them. Look for websites similar to your project and clients similar to your company.
Someone Who Will be There After the Website Project is Complete
Your website is going to require some ongoing maintenance. Work with a website design partner that can provide ongoing updates and troubleshoot bugs that will definitely pop up along the way.
The Cost of a Website Design Project
One of the most common questions you’re going to have when choosing which website design partner to work with is “What does a great website cost?”
Building a website takes time. How much time and who is doing the work will determine the overall cost.
Here are 5 variables that have the biggest impact on the time and cost of your website project:
- The number of pages
- The complexity of your design
- The content that needs to be created
- The integrations and functionality of the site
- The amount of time you can personally devote to the project
It is important to have the budget conversation early so you can spend time talking with potential website design partners that are aligned with the budget you have. Having a great website is extremely important but the cost of the website should not drain your entire marketing budget. Make sure you’re keeping enough funds to promote your brand and website to drive traffic to the website. Afterall, the website is only one component of the entire marketing strategy.
Partner with Neon Goldfish for Your Website Design Project
Neon Goldfish has been working with clients of all sizes in every industry imaginable since 2007. We started off as a simple website design shop and evolved into a full-service digital marketing agency.
Over the years, we’ve learned that a website is so much more than a digital brochure for your company. It is the online extension of your business that serves as the initial point of contact for most of the consumers interacting with your brand.
We are the perfect option for someone looking for a:
- Website design company with over 15 years experience and hundreds of successful website projects.
- Defined website design process that covers everything you want and things you would never know to think of.
- Skilled team of website design experts well-versed in design, development, copywriting, and marketing to provide you with the best possible website.
- Partner that will be there not only during the process of building your website but also for ongoing maintenance, security scans, content updates, and marketing after the project is complete.
- Reliable and trusted US-based company with a quick response time.
- Team with experience integrating websites with third-party applications to streamline you overall operations.
- Relationship with a company you can work with for years to come.
At Neon Goldfish, we don’t just design websites; we craft digital experiences that leave a lasting imprint. Let’s embark on a journey to make your online presence shine.
Don’t Take Our Word For It… Hear It From Our Clients.
“I had numerous issues with my website that rendered it useless. My web developer tried to hold me, hostage, until I paid the “ransom”. I was rescued by Neon Goldfish, bringing my website back to it’s former glory. I have nothing but the highest praise for Justin and the staff of Neon Goldfish. You have earned a customer for life. Thank you!”
~ Marvin Hurlbert
Common Questions About Website Design
How much does a new website cost?
There are lot of factors that contribute to the cost of a website. The cost of the website build is going to primarily depend on the size and complexity of the website. Simple sites with few pages costs far less than massive sites with a custom product builder and complex e-commerce options. Another major cost variable is the website content. Each page will require words, images, and videos to be creaed. Much like purchasing a car, the cost of ownership for a website does not stop after the website build is complete. Ongoing costs like hosting, content updates, maintenance, and repairs should be considered when budgeting for a website.
Can I redesign my current website or do I have to start from scratch?
This depends on the age of your current website and how well it has been maintained. A redesign is a great option if the current website has a solid foundation for all the desired updates. Other times, it makes more sense to start fresh with a totally new website. A proper audit of your current website will show you which options you have.
How often should I redesign my website?
Website design and the way businesses are using them to manager day-to-day operations are constantly evolving. As your business changes, so should your website. A well-built website on the right backbone can last years without a formal redesign. When your website no longer feels like an online extension of your company or it is not functioning properly, it is time for a complete overhaul.
How much time will I have to devote to the website design process?
Building a new website requires a lot of energy. The two most time consuming elements of a website design project is the design/coding of the website and the creation of content for the website. Most website design projects at Neon Goldfish include content creation where our team writes all of the content for your website. While this does minimize the amount of time clients spend on the project, it still does require a moderate amount of time for review and approval of the content we create.
How long does it take to build a new website?
A standard 10-page website that includes content creation takes 8-10 weeks to complete from start to finish. The number of pages, complexity of the website functionality, and amount of content creation necessary has the most impact on the overall timeline.
Where can I get nice photos for my website?
The best photos for your website will be images of your products, services, and business. Royalty-free stock images can be substituted. Never use images from the internet that you do not have obtained permission from the photographer to use. Take the images yourself, hire a photographer, or purchase rights to use stock photos.
Should I use video on my website?
Videos are fantastic assets to include in your website. They are the preferred medium by most consumers and can help with engagement, education, and conversions when used properly.
Will I be able to make updates to the website without knowing how to code?
Yes. A website properly built on a CMS like WordPress allows you to have total control over the content on your website. All websites built by Neon Goldfish include training on how to make ongoing content updates to your website.
The Process of Hiring Neon Goldfish
When you decide to work with Neon Goldfish for your web design project, you embark on a journey where you get to actively participate in building your website. Here’s how it works:
Client’s Active Role
Your involvement is crucial. Don’t worry, we are going to do all the heavy lifting. From providing ideas to reviewing content copy before launch, your insights shape the final product to add your expert touch.
Project Planning and Scoping
We collaborate with you to define project goals, requirements, and timelines. This ensures that our efforts are aligned with your vision. We’ll discuss your color scheme, visual hierarchy, user interface, and more.
Pricing Options and Packages
We offer flexible options for your budget and requirements. Our goal is to deliver value that suits your specific needs.
Design and Development Stages
Our talented team transforms your vision into a stunning website. As experienced website builders, you’ll be informed at every step, so your feedback is encouraged and appreciated. We will create an effective visual website for your business.
Testing and Quality Assurance
We take quality seriously. Our rigorous testing ensures your website is error-free and works flawlessly on all devices.
Launch and Post-Launch Support
Launching your website is a significant moment. We’ll be right there to ensure it goes smoothly. Plus, we provide ongoing support for updates and maintenance so your site stays fresh and up-to-date.
Get Started with Website Design from Neon Goldfish
Neon Goldfish specializes in creating web design solutions that captivate your audience, drive conversions, and enhance your online presence. But how can you experience the transformative power of our web design services? Let’s walk you through the steps.
- Step 1: Free Website Audit
To get started, you can take advantage of our Free Website Audit. This comprehensive analysis will provide valuable insights into your website’s strengths and weaknesses. Understanding where you stand is the first step toward improvement. - Step 2: Consultation with Our Experts
Once you’ve explored the audit results, it’s time to discuss what Neon Goldfish can do for your website and brand image. This step is tailored to your specific needs. Our experts will work closely with you to understand your objectives and develop a customized strategy to achieve them. - Step 3: Partner with Neon Goldfish
With confidence in our capabilities, you can move forward and choose the website design project that suits you best. Whether you need a complete website overhaul or specific visual design enhancements, we have the solutions to elevate your online presence.
Start Your Website Design Quote
Ready to embark on your journey to a new website? It’s simple. Just contact us, and we’ll guide you through the process. Our team is eager to work with you, making your online vision a reality.
Join us on this exciting journey, and let’s create a website that reflects the true essence of your brand and engages your audience in ways you never thought possible. Your online success begins with Neon Goldfish. Contact us today and take that first step towards an extraordinary digital presence.