Calgary Web Designer reveals key limitations of Custom Web Development

Getting a custom web site design is the best Web solution you can get, right? Well, a fully custom Web design may not always 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 custom Web look 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 reality is you can get a customized web solution that offers the best of both worlds: A custom design and layout , plus management and upgrading capabilities , 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 great example of re-usable code that is easily adapted to pretty much any website . This is possibly the greatest power of the Internet, the ability for people, and companies, to build off of each other’s success in developing successful, functional media ; and those areas that don’t work so well can be revised until they do .

So, if you are looking for a custom web site , here are a few ideas to help you get the best solution for 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, web design fundametals and SEM  .The easiest way to do this is to find a Web designer with a web design portfolio of previous web design examples that match the concept you have in your head .
  2. If possible, choose custom, professional photography over stock photography. While you may believe this to be a more expensive option versus the economic prices of royalty-free images, little compares to the unique feel and authenticity of locally produced photography. For example, if you are a Calgary company who has a Calgary Website , your local visitors will feel more affinity  with a web presence bearing familiar, Calgary-based photography. There are many photographers with digital cameras around these days, so make use of them and find a Calgary photographer whose portfolio complements your intended style and price . Of course, royalty-free images are a boon if you need a fast, cheap solution ; you can always choose to invest in custom photos once your website is online.
  3. Decide early on what you want the site to do when it goes live , but also determine its future functionality . Discuss all ideas with your Web developer , because even if you don’t build these functions straight away , the designer can make allowances within the website design for future growth .
  4. Find a development platform that do everything you can think of , from the initial 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 know that the platform, for example, an e-commerce shopping cart site or a more univeral CMS (Content Management System), you can be sure that you can efficiently expand the website from the structure with which you have originally built the site , rather than having to build a whole new site to allow for the new features.
  5. If possible , find a Calgary Web design team who does more than justthe design of the site. While it is great to find a specialist in any field, it is also more streamlined to find a web team who can provide all concerns of Web development and web marketing for your company for the next few years .
  6. Consider building your site in two or three phases to help ease start-up costs and to get your site 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 may well hinder you if you’re unable to manage them all . Learn your CMS interface first, your Web development partner is usually the best resource for training since they know the site functionality and structure best , then expand the site and your skill set one stage at a time.
  7. Aim for longevity – some Web designers pride themselves on “cutting edge” design themes that will become passe in a matter of months. The Web design trends 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 sticking to clean, professional, well-thought out 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. Today you can easily find similar effects to Flash with JQuery and DHTML effects.

The best scenario is to find a Web designer with whom you can comfortably connect, who can produce your site to your satisfaction and who can partner with you to develop the site through ongoing expansion and revitalization. A professionally built Web site can readily be an investment that can last you for up to half a decade , if it is built properly from the start , it will give you a strong return on investment .

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

 

 

  • Share/Bookmark

Leave a Reply