Brenda Simon Web Design
Choosing a Custom Website
Many of my clients come to me after trying a template website, or do-it-yourself company. The list is long with frustration and disappointment. Gathering the content (writing the page copy and photos) for your website is a big job and most business owners don't have time beyond this task to learn how to work within a template, learn a new language to understand what needs to done to maximize a DIY project.

Do you want to be a web designer?
Template sites sound simple with less involvement from a busy business owner, and do-it-yourself/create-your-own-website companies sound promising. Paying monthly instead of a designer's one time fee sounds like a bargain. Here is a side by side comparison of a

custom website versus a template website.

Know what you're getting into.

CUSTOM WEBSITE
  • Custom websites stand out. Unique design, branded to your business.
  • Full SEO (search engine optimization)
  • Fully scalable as you grow and add new features
  • Personal service, guiding you through content needed, reviewing it and making recommendations.
  • You'll have your website files forever.
  • You own the copyright and can use the design elements in your branding.
  • One design fee, you pay for changes as needed. You'll pay web hosting from $15 per month for quality hosting.
  • Professional photo optimization and minor editing means you'll make use of photos needing correction.
TEMPLATE / DO IT YOURSELF WEBSITES
  • Lots of other people have access to the same template.
  • You or your staff need to learn basic understanding of Search Engine Optimization.
  • Templates are limited to how much customization can be done.
  • Tech support may be phone, email or none and is limited to template questions.
  • The template resides with the template host. You can't move them.
  • The website company owns the design elements.
  • Pay per month as long as you continue with the website.
  • You or your staff need to learn basic photo editing and optimization.

I hope this helps you decide which is the better solution for your business. Having clarity is a huge advantage. Consider a WordPress website.

For your mobile strategy compare responsive vs separate mobile website.

Custom website designs

with organic SEO, personal service and no outsourcing throughout

Pima County,

Tucson,

Phoenix,
and
nationwide
.