Custom Website: 7 Steps to build an award-winning one

Building a new website can be daunting for some people, but it is not as complicated as many people might think, especially if you are designing it from a template. While many online template sellers prefer to advertise the ‘ease’ of designing a website through a template, most businesses have realized that you only get the most basic features and it is simply not suitable for every type of business.

Templates do not have personalized settings and it makes your website look similar to thousands of other ‘cheap’ websites that get very few visitors. So what is the solution? How can your website stand out from the competition?

Get a custom website

If you want your business’s website to stand out from your competition, then you should get a custom website. Unlike simple template website designs, a custom website provides personalized settings. It is optimized to suit the needs of your business and most of all, it is unique. When customers see your custom website, they will remember it because of the unique design.

A custom website can be modified by a competent web design agency so that it includes personalized settings for your business. While it usually takes longer to design, it is much more likely to give your business a professional look. Custom websites also have more features than many other website designs. The formula is simple. The more work is put into designing your website, the better it will function.

If you are looking to get a custom website for your business, then you should be aware of the process as well. Here are 7 steps to build a custom website:

Choose a relevant domain name

The domain name of your business should preferably be your business’s name. However, in some cases, it may not be available. Here you should try and keep it as close to your company’s name as possible. Your domain name should be as short as possible so that customers can read it easily. If your company’s name is long, then you can shorten it in the domain name. Just make sure it is similar.

While you can get many cheaper domain names for lower costs, you should always go for a custom domain name. A good custom website has a custom domain name and simply buying an older one will tarnish your brand image. In the long run, the few extra dollars that you spend on a custom domain name is worth it.

Choose the best hosting for your Custom Website

The right hosting plan is crucial in determining how well your site performs. In many cases, businesses choose cheaper hosting and end up regretting it later. Choose a hosting plan that suits your business. If you are going to have a blog and add to your website every day, then choose a hosting plan that provides more storage space.

Another thing to consider is the speed of your website. When you use better hosting providers, your website will load much faster. For a good custom website, the right hosting plan is just as important to the performance of your site as the website design.

Choose a good platform to build your custom website on

There are plenty of website builders out there, but not all are the same. Some have more features and are easier to use, such as WordPress. However, it is not easy to customize these website builders. There are many options available and each one has its benefits. In the end, your web design agency will look at your business’s needs and use a website builder that suits your requirements.

Choose a design scheme

Once the basics are settled, its time you start the actual customization process. The first thing you may have to finalize is the design scheme. You can choose whether you want a colorful website or a more conservative design, depending on your business. You can also decide on the color combinations, background, and many other basic features that will be the design scheme of your website.

A valuable tip to implement when doing the basic website design is to make everything in line with your logo design. If your brand’s color scheme is red and yellow, then don’t have a website with a green background. It may sound like common sense, but it’s a common mistake that many businesses make.

Decide on which features you need

While you can customize your website later, it’s better to choose the right features while it is being designed. Your web design agency will work closely with you during this process as they need to know exactly what functions you want your website to have. This is the time to add social media links, email integration, forms, and many other features. Choosing the right plugins ensures that your business has everything it needs to provide an optimized experience.

Optimize your custom website content

Another important aspect of a custom website is the way it uses content to create a clear message for the customer. A custom website will incorporate creativity in the web copy and will make sure it fits in with the design of the site. This step may involve SEO as well, and a good web design agency will have you covered on this. If your content is unique and convincing, then your website will be much more effective in the long run.

Publish and analyze

The last step is to publish your website and see its performance. If there are any issues, it can be repaired. You should also not the design, loading speed and other aspects to make sure they are all in order. You can even have customers test your website and rate its performance. This will show you any gaps for improvement.

Choose the right service

Always choose a professional service for designing a custom website. A template will only show the customer that your brand is of a low standard, so avoid them at all costs. Do you have any ideas for great custom websites? I would love to hear from you!