Where to Draw the Line with Custom Web Design

Building a custom web site is the best Web solution you can get, right? Perhaps not, since a full custom developed web site may not be the best solution for your Calgary company’s web site. Some important factors to consider are development timeline, budget and versatility and ease of upgrading. While having a unique custom designed website is the best scenario for your Calgary company, you probably don’t need a fully developed custom solution that is built from scratch just for you.

No, the truth is you can get a customized web solution that offers the best of both worlds: The ability to have a custom look and feel to your site, plus ability to add and manage unique content to the website, while also leveraging the benefits of a universal Web software platform, like an open source CMS (Content Management System) like Joomla! or Drupal. In truth, even fully custom-coded websites rely heavily on code libraries and Web structures that have been created and revised by other programmers over the years. Consider the Lightbox effect as a perfect example of re-usable code that is easily adapted to pretty much any web presence. This is arguably the closest thing to the unstoppable force of the Internet, the ability for programmers, designers and web development companies to build off of each other’s success in developing systems that work; and those areas that don’t work so well can be revised until they succeed.

So, if you are seeking a custom Web solution, here are a few ideas to help you find a workable solution within your budget:

1. Focus on getting the look of the site custom designed by a professional web designer who understands key Web and GUI usability issues, design standards and organic SEO practices.The simplest way to do this is to look for a Web development team with a portfolio of previous web design examples that are similar to the site design you’d like.
2. If possible, choose professionally shot photograhy over stock photography. While you may think this to be a more expensive option versus the economic prices of royalty-free images, nothing can compare to the unique feel and authenticity of locally produced photography. For example, if you are a Calgary business who has a Calgary Website, your local targeted traffic will feel more affinity  with a site bearing familiar, Calgary-based photography. There are many photographers with digital cameras available for hire these days, so make use of them and find a Calgary photographer whose portfolio complements your intended style and budget. Of course, royalty-free images are a great asset if you need a quick low cost solution; you can always opt for custom photos once your website is online.
3. Decide early on what you want the site to do when it goes live, but also what you want it to do a few years down the road. Discuss all ideas with your Web designer, because even if you don’t implement these ideas straight away, the designer can make allowances within the design for future expansion.
4. Find a development platform that do everything you can think of, from the first start-up phase to the full fledged e-commerce money maker you envision to be managing once the site is up and running. If you are sure that the platform, for example, e-com catalog or a more univeral CMS (Content Management System), you will be secure in knowing you can expand the website within the platform you have originally built the site, rather than having to design a completely new site to accommodate the new features.
5. If you can, find a Calgary web design team who does more than just the design of the site. While it is reassuring to find a specialist in any field, it is also more streamlined to find a company who can provide all facets of Web development and web marketing for your company for the next few years .
6. A good idea is building your web site in two or three development phases to help ease budgeting pressures and to get your website up as quickly as possible. If you are working on starting your business, or have a business running and are just starting to look into your Web presence, diving into a complex e-commerce solution with blogs, galleries and Facebook tie-ins really won’t help if you’re unable to manage them all. Learn the basics of site management first, your Web development partner should be able to provide proper training, then build onto the Website and your skill set one stage at a time.
7. Aim for longevity- some Web designers pride themselves on “contemporary”design themes that will become passe in a matter of months. The web design elements will appear dated more quickly than clothing fashions. Consider the difference between style and trends – style is timeless while fashion trends come and go. Find a Web designer who can bring a style to your site that will stand the test of contemporary and future Web design fashion trends by adhering to clean, professional, intuitive web design.
8. Be careful to not invest too much in Flash animation unless it helps to your bottom line. The days of flash introductions have largely passed, so you really don’t need flash to create a great first impression. But Flash animation can provide a superior interface and information flow if used properly. Flash is also a great way to integrate FLV or Flash-based videos into your website. These days you can easily find similar effects to Flash by using JQuery and DHTML effects.

The best scenario is to find a Web design team with whom you can comfortably connect, who can build your web site to match your initial vision and who can partner with you in developing the web site through ongoing expansion and revitalization. A professionally built Web site can easily be an investment that can last you for up to half a decade, if it has a strong foundation, it will give you a strong return on investment.

If you are looking for a professional Calgary Web Design team, please check out www.blinddrop.com for complete Web development and Graphic design services.