The last few years have introduced an arsenal of new tools built specifically to help the average Joe design a website without any experience with HTML or other computer languages and coding techniques.  The truth is that an individual can build a website today using a simple content management system such as Joomla, Drupal or Wordpress without writing a single line of code and still achieve fantastic results.  The website design game has certainly changed, but this is not to say that a professional website designer has no advantage over a first-time user.  When you consider the important aspects of web design you can easily discover reasons why most do-it-yourself website designs are not successful.

When you use a content management system, the process is quite simple.  All you need in order to have a nice looking website up and running is to download and install the content management system, configure it, select a theme and add content.  You can also find some fair prices among web hosting companies that offer a plethora of services on a server as well as software packages.  Although it is possible to create and launch a website on your own, this is not to suggest that you will not need the assistance of a professional.

For example, software packages from web hosting companies are not always complete.  Typically offering only the minimal options for a website, web hosting companies require designers to possess a certain level of experience and knowledge to expand beyond the limitations of those packages.  Should you want something more than the software package can offer, you will most likely need to consult a professional.  Configuration alone can be a problem for anyone using Joomla, Drupal or Wordpress for the first time. 

The bad news is that content management systems often provide only limited options.  There are also hundreds or even thousands of plugins and components available that allow users to improve their website.  The problem is that these third party solutions often require a lot of time and research as you need to not only find the best one, but also learn how to install and then use it.

There are more things to consider when creating a website entirely on your own.  Among the most significant includes browser loading speed as search engines rank websites according to their speed.  A website should also include headers, columns, rows, titles and keywords for SEO purposes, each one as a minimum requirement. 

Anyone who plans to select a template and then add new options outside of that template runs the risk of a broken website or development dead-ends.  You may even need to start from scratch should something go seriously wrong.  The best way to ensure that your website is designed correctly without crashing or getting penalized by the search engines is to request the help of a professional.

Category: Website Design