Design vs Templated System
When looking for a solution to a website, many people come across two decisions:
So, which is better? Overall it really comes down to preferences and cost. If you go with a high volume provider, sites like Prosites; which offers solutions specifically to the dental industry, you will most likely get a cut and copy package that has been designed to fit most everyone. While that may be good from a pricing up front standpoint, it could still lack overall ability to alter the site and make changes easily.
Most high volume providers will develop a system that allows them to create a structure specific for sites to be developed, then they simply alter the style and images and you have your site...probably won't be exactly what you're looking for or like, but it'll be a relative facsimile and hey, for a cheap price, beggars can't be choosy.
The other solution is to find a custom web designer that can make a site for you from scratch. While this tends to be a bit higher in cost, the solution usually renders a better facsimile to what you wanted and will most likely lead to a bit more of a customized look and feel for you, and not you with a somewhat closely styled site.
So, which is best? Which works best for you? The answer is still: have a good idea of what you want your site to do for you.
If you decide that you would like to do some SEO work on your site in the future, or paid search, or any online marketing efforts, going with a custom designed site will probably work best in the long run. Most designers will charge more up front for the design, but then the design becomes yours and you can do what you will with it.
If you go with a high volume provider, you usually don't have much say in the design nor do you own the design in the end. Thus, if you decide that you would like some custom landing pages, or you don't like how the design of the site has extensive code and would like it cleaned up...then the high volume provider will take you to the cleaners in hourly fees and custom development.
So, in the end, ask yourself simply...do you want to spend more up front for flexibility down the road, or do you want quick easy and less money up front with the potential of a complete redesign down the road? It all comes down to your preference and goals.
- High volume service providers
- Custom designers for web sites
So, which is better? Overall it really comes down to preferences and cost. If you go with a high volume provider, sites like Prosites; which offers solutions specifically to the dental industry, you will most likely get a cut and copy package that has been designed to fit most everyone. While that may be good from a pricing up front standpoint, it could still lack overall ability to alter the site and make changes easily.
Most high volume providers will develop a system that allows them to create a structure specific for sites to be developed, then they simply alter the style and images and you have your site...probably won't be exactly what you're looking for or like, but it'll be a relative facsimile and hey, for a cheap price, beggars can't be choosy.
The other solution is to find a custom web designer that can make a site for you from scratch. While this tends to be a bit higher in cost, the solution usually renders a better facsimile to what you wanted and will most likely lead to a bit more of a customized look and feel for you, and not you with a somewhat closely styled site.
So, which is best? Which works best for you? The answer is still: have a good idea of what you want your site to do for you.
If you decide that you would like to do some SEO work on your site in the future, or paid search, or any online marketing efforts, going with a custom designed site will probably work best in the long run. Most designers will charge more up front for the design, but then the design becomes yours and you can do what you will with it.
If you go with a high volume provider, you usually don't have much say in the design nor do you own the design in the end. Thus, if you decide that you would like some custom landing pages, or you don't like how the design of the site has extensive code and would like it cleaned up...then the high volume provider will take you to the cleaners in hourly fees and custom development.
So, in the end, ask yourself simply...do you want to spend more up front for flexibility down the road, or do you want quick easy and less money up front with the potential of a complete redesign down the road? It all comes down to your preference and goals.
Post made: Sat, Dec 1 2007 - 00:00 AM
Category: Design
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