Swansea website creation conundrum: To build or not to build?
The digital realm has become an integral part of any business, project, or interest group’s success. The question remains, do you need a Swansea website, or is it simply a given? Before embarking on a website creation journey, it’s crucial to evaluate the purpose of the site. Will it drive sales and fundraising, raise brand awareness, or present professionalism? Most likely, it’s a combination of all of these elements.
Before committing to a standalone website, with a personalised domain, it’s important to consider if other alternatives could suffice. For instance, social channels like Facebook, Google My Business, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter have proven to be effective in engaging with target markets for many businesses, individuals, and charities.
However, it’s advisable to complement these channels with a more permanent and information-rich base, in the form of a website, which adds authority to your brand or message. Often, the absence of website information can make a brand or organisation feel incomplete, particularly if it’s a business or charity. Moreover, it can be challenging to consistently maintain and update social channels, leading to a lost message or an inactive appearance.
Your options for a Swansea website
- Self-build websites: Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress
- Web design agency
- Individual website designer (Freelancer)
- None and solely rely on social media
Self-build websites
These options are often marketed as “easy” and “drag and drop” but the reality may not always be the case. Technical skill is still required, and the learning curve can be time-consuming. Although financially affordable, it’s crucial to consider the time investment involved in building a website. Poor technical execution, such as a lack of image optimisation, can negatively affect user experience and SEO.
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Puts you in control
- Domain and hosting are usually included in the package
Cons
- Requires a certain level of technical knowledge
- New users will face a learning curve
- Can be time-consuming
Web design agency
Finding the right match for your needs is the biggest challenge with this option. Consider the agency’s sector experience, costs, portfolio designs, day-to-day communication, and ease of conveying ideas and changes. A clear breakdown of services, costs, and timings is crucial to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts. A good web design agency should provide all aspects of web design, including content creation, hosting, technical updates, and more.
Pros
- Offers a full range of services
- Can handle larger projects
- The portfolio showcases creative abilities
Cons
- Potentially the most costly option
- On-going costs
- Who’s creating the site may be unclear
Individual website designer (freelancer)
Selection between an individual web designer and an agency can be a perplexing task. Both options come with their advantages and disadvantages, and a thorough evaluation of the candidate is imperative to ensure you find the best fit for your needs. When searching for a web designer, it’s vital to assess their technical competencies and design acumen. A review of their portfolio can shed light on the designer’s abilities, project scope, and technical proficiency.
While considering an individual Swansea website designer, it can be helpful to understand their background and how they came to be a web designer. A face-to-face meeting with the designer can give you a personal feel for the individual and answer any questions you may have.
Pros
- A more cost-effective solution compared to working with an agency
- The designer’s portfolio serves as a true representation of their work, unlike an agency where different designers may have different styles
- Dealing with only one person makes it easier to communicate your ideas, messages, and feedback
Cons
- Limited capacity to handle larger projects
- Relying on a single person
- Possibility of having to outsource certain parts
None and solely rely on social media
No pros and cons list for this one because we do not advise this! We can see why it makes sense that so many companies use social media as their primary means of luring new visitors to their websites. Who wouldn’t want to utilise social media in their marketing when 4.48 billion people use it globally? Social media is a powerful force.
But, concentrating just on social media is a grave error. Particularly for small businesses.
Why?
Because as the saying goes. You are building your house on another man’s land.
You run the danger of having nothing if you devote all of your attention to creating an incredible social media presence without some kind of backup. This is because social media platforms may at any point prohibit, limit, and punish your business. And the worst part is they do not even need to have a justification for doing so.
Conclusion
Before deciding on the direction of your Swansea website design and creation, it’s essential to consider other aspects, such as site maintenance and updates. Who will take care of the site’s upkeep and upgrades? If you opt to create the site yourself, be aware of the time commitment required, and whether it’s the best use of your time. If working with an agency or a web designer, be mindful of the technology they use and whether you’re comfortable with updating the site. In some cases, you may need to receive training from the agency or designer or consider paying a retainer for ongoing maintenance and updates.
Both an individual web designer and an agency can fulfil your web design in Swansea needs, but it’s vital to choose the right fit based on your requirements. Assess their portfolios, backgrounds, and technical abilities, and consider other factors like maintenance and updates before making a decision. With the right choice, you can ensure that your website not only looks good but also functions optimally.
