By David Lee Cummings, Top Dog Marketing Group

Columbus, Ohio – Web design is a specialized endeavor. Wait—let me rephrase that: quality web design is a specialized endeavor.

These days, just about anyone can throw together a website. But, consistent with the way things have always been, only a highly trained professional can create a website that does justice to a serious business.

I can’t tell you how many times lately I have heard a small business owner say they’ve had or are having their nephew, friend, spouse, or other self-taught acquaintance design a website for them. Every time I hear this, I mentally slap my forehead.

Over 80% of your potential customers will visit your website at least one time before they decide to do business with you. Moreover, studies have shown that the majority of customers will make their decision to do business with you within 10 seconds of viewing your website.

If you are truly serious about your business, leaving the design of your website to anyone other than a professional is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.

The most common result I have seen from a friend or family member designing a website is one that looks amateurish, functions poorly, and does not contain the features the site needs to be effective. Quality Web design is hard enough for a professional; impossible for a novice.

Cincinnati & Columbus Web Design Done Right

Your website is a digital representation of your business. It reflects your professionalism and capabilities. Therefore, don’t risk letting a sloppy website be your online ambassador.

Ask yourself, is it okay for my company to look amateur and inept? Or is it more advantageous for us to look like all-stars?

If you want your business located in Columbus, Cincinnati, or elsewhere to be appropriately represented online, you really should hire a professional for the job. But do consider that not all professionals provide the same level of results.

I have seen numerous businesses get gouged for Web design or search engine optimization services—and yet receive sloppy or underperforming results. This type of business practice really irks me, and I will write more on this topic soon.

For now, know that if you plan to design or redesign your business website, please be wary about putting the project in the hands of a friend or relative who says they can do the job. Chances are, they will waste a great deal of your time and enough of your money and leave you severely frustrated.

Additionally, you will offend your friend or relative when you soon turn the website over to a professional to redesign. Or, if you are too loyal or too uncomfortable to turn the site over, you will then have to suffer with a website that makes your business look awful.

Keep in mind the idiom “penny wise, pound foolish.” It applies most aptly when it comes to whom you hire to design your website.