Where do you draw the line with Custom Web Design?

Getting a custom web site design is the ideal web development scenario 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 unique custom designed website is the best scenario for your Calgary company, you probably don’t need a 100% custom solution that is coded from scratch just for you.

No, the truth is you can get a custom-built website that offers the best of both worlds: A custom design and layout, plus ability to add and manage unique content to the website, while also making use of an all-in-one solution, like proprietory CMS software or even an open source CMS like Joomla! or Drupal. In truth, even developers who build custom sites from “scratch”rely heavily on code chunks and structures that have been created and revised by past companies and developers. Consider the Lightbox effect as a perfect example of re-usable code that is easily adapted to nearly any website. This is arguably 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 perform well can be re-worked until they succeed.

So, if you are looking for a custom web site, here are a few ideas to help you find a workable solution within your budget:

1. Get the Web site design developed by a professional web designer who knows and applies key Web and GUI usability issues, web design fundametals and organic SEO practices.The easiest way to do this is to look for a Web development team with a web design portfolio of previous designs that match the concept you have in your head.
2. If possible, choose professionally shot photograhy over stock photography. While you may believe this to be a dearer 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 visitors will feel more affinity  with a web presence bearing familiar, Calgary-based photography. There are many photographers with digital cameras available for hire these days, so make use of local talent and find a photographer whose portfolio complements your intended style and price. Of course, stock photos are a great asset if you need a fast, cheap solution; you can always choose to invest in custom photos once your website is online.
3. Decide what the site’s core function will be when it first goes live, but also what you want it to do a few years down the road. Discuss everything you see for future expansion with your Web designer, because even if you don’t build these functions straight away, the designer can make allowances within the design for future growth.
4. Find a development platform that can do ALL that you need for your site, 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 know that the platform, for example, e-com catalog or a more univeral CMS (Content Management System), you will be secure in knowing you can efficiently expand the website within the platform you have originally built the web site, rather than having to build a whole new site to accommodate the new features.
5. If possible, find a Web designer who does more than just the design of the site. While it is great 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 phases to help ease budgeting pressures and to get your site live as fast as possible. If you are working on starting your business, or have a business running and are just starting to venture into your Web presence, producing a full-fledged e-commerce solution with blogs, galleries and Facebook tie-ins really won’t help if you’re unable to manage and expand every aspect. 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 trends 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 development unless it adds to your bottom line. The days of flash intros 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 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 site to your satisfaction and who can partner with you in developing the web site through ongoing expansion and revitalization. A properly built Web site can easily be an investment that can last you for up to five years, if it is built properly from the start, it will be built properly for the future.

If you are looking for a localCalgary Web Design company, please visitwww.blinddrop.com for complete Web development and Graphic design services.