• Local Website Designer
    • About
    • Resume
  • Services
    • Website Design / Redesign
    • Search Engine Optimization | SEO >
      • GMB
    • Social Media Marketing | SMM
    • Email Marketing
    • Graphic Design | Print Marketing >
      • Print
  • Free Website Audit
  • Prices
  • FAQ
  • Contact
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Locations >
      • Gettysburg, PA
      • New Oxford, PA
      • Hanover, PA
      • Littlestown, PA
      • Website Designer Near Me
    • News >
      • Website Developer
      • Design Tips
      • Glossary of Website Terms
  • Blog
Gettysburg Website Design | Crawford Designs | Local Website Designer Near Me
  • Local Website Designer
    • About
    • Resume
  • Services
    • Website Design / Redesign
    • Search Engine Optimization | SEO >
      • GMB
    • Social Media Marketing | SMM
    • Email Marketing
    • Graphic Design | Print Marketing >
      • Print
  • Free Website Audit
  • Prices
  • FAQ
  • Contact
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Locations >
      • Gettysburg, PA
      • New Oxford, PA
      • Hanover, PA
      • Littlestown, PA
      • Website Designer Near Me
    • News >
      • Website Developer
      • Design Tips
      • Glossary of Website Terms
  • Blog

3 Things To Look For When Hiring a Local Web Designer

1/14/2020

0 Comments

 
How to Hire a Local Website Designer, Gettysburg Website Design
If you’re looking to hire a website designer for your next design project, be sure to do your due diligence and watch out for these 3 things.

Website Designer Tip #1. The Price is Right.
Warren Buffett, who is widely considered one of the greatest investors of all time, states that the most important thing when it comes to thinking about money is "opportunity-cost".
What is opportunity-cost? When looking for a website, think of it like this. “I have this money. I can do one of many different things, including getting a do-it-myself site, hire a website builder near me, hiring someone overseas, etc. And then out of all those decisions, which one will bring me in the most net profit overall?” That’s really the way you should be thinking about hiring a website designer. What’s the best overall net profit on all the different options available? Sometimes when you go the cheap route, you’re really losing a lot in terms of potential net profit. Does building a DIY website, truly save you money in the long run, if when you launch, it does not bring in new leads, customers, and sales.

Sure you could try and build a website on your own. There are templates out there, and cookie cutter site builders that get you started. But truth be told, just like trying to assemble furniture, you’re not a professional furniture builder, and therefore the quality and the product is not going to be as good. And that metaphor applies to website design. Most people are not professional digital marketers or designers or understand SEO, Keywords, Metatags, user personas, or how to get traffic, or any of these details that a professional website designer knows. And so, not only are you using all of your time to build the website but then you’re not getting as high-quality an output and return on investment as you would if you just hired someone who did that full time.

Let me reveal a little secret when it comes to website design. Most people think, "I'll hire a professional website firm because I want a “real website” As opposed to a Word Press site or template builder. What most people don't realize is that all websites are made from the same stuff - coding! HTML and CSS and Javascript, and the list goes on. If you go to google.com, CNN.com, Youtube.com, and any other sites on the web, and you look at the source code, it’s just CSS and HTML. The HTML gives it structure, the CSS gives it design, and  JavaScript gives it animation. 

So, when you work with an experienced  local web designer, you’re paying for a higher quality version of the same thing. Someone who knows how to code better, someone who understands design, marketing, and search engine optimization, and that’s what you’re buying. You get what you pay for.

One thing I would suggest when it comes to choosing a website designer is to focus on the results. At the end of the day, “do you like the work?” Do you like the quality of their portfolio? You are looking for a final result that will represent your company and bring in more leads and sales. Trust your own judgment. Trust their customer reviews.

Website Design Tip #2. Get a Good CMS.
A CMS stands for Content Management System; software to manage and update your website. Wordpress and Weebly are both a CMS, and there are thousands of different CMS's out there. The one thing to know is that not all CMSs are the same. The "behind the scenes of a website is called the backend of the site. This is where you can edit the site within the content management system. Most people, when buying a website only think about the front-end; the site's appearance. A CMS creates ease of use, and reduces the number of hours and frustration it takes to edit and manage the website. Most current CMS systems use WYSIWYG editors (What You See Is What You Get) which utilize a drag-and-drop type of program. A good CMS allows you to update the images, titles, descriptions, and many other pieces of the puzzle eith ease.

Local Website Designer Tip #3. Research Their Portfolio.
Check out their online portfolio samples, and also look for testimonials and client reviews. Look them up on Yelp, Facebook, Google Reviews, and LinkedIn. See if people are saying nice things about them, or if anyone is saying anything particularly bad. Most importantly ‘do you like their work?’ As well as, look at their work on mobile. A lot of people don’t take the time to think about what their site is going to look like on mobile. Responsive sites (websites that look great on all screens) are very important!

Just as you wouldn’t trust an obese personal trainer, you should probably never trust a designer with an ugly or outdated looking website, or an SEO expert who doesn’t rank well on Google. For example, we rank on page one on Google for “Gettysburg Web Design.” 

Ready to Hire Someone to Make a Website?
So, if you’ve made it this far, then you’re probably thinking “I need someone to build my website for me.” So, I’d like to make you an offer that you can’t refuse. Simply request a time for a FREE consultation before you sign or pay for anything. We'll come to your office, free of charge. We simply ask a few questions to learn more about you and your company, and dig a little deeper into your online business goals. There is nothing to sign, and no credit card information is taken. So, if that sounds like something that might be of interest to you, click here and choose a time that works for you.
Website designer near me | Gettysburg Business Websites
0 Comments

7 Tips for Building an Effective Business Website

1/1/2020

0 Comments

 
7 Tips for Building an Effective Business Website
In 2020, an online presence is crucial for any business, even for local brick-and-mortar companies that don't conduct via an online storefront. Studies show that 97% of customers search for local businesses online, while 94% of B2B buyers research companies online first.

Whether you are creating a new website or updating an older site, you must keep these design principles in mind:
  1. Mobile responsive
    Reports state that more than 70% of shoppers made purchases using their cell phones, and stats show that over 90% of shoppers use their smartphones (even while in retail stores!) for comparing prices and looking at product reviews. A good website absolutely must cater to mobile users.
  2. Clear call-to-action
    Each page on your website should tempt the reader to do something – call, sign up for a service, subscribe to newsletter, or buy a product. Be sure to have a clear invitation to do just that: actionable text, a button, or a link. Keep it above the fold (
    the portion of a web page that is visible in a browser window when the page first loads), so that readers do not have to scroll before finding the call to action.
  3. Easy to navigate
    Limit your top-level navigation menu to easy-to-understand tabs with related pages organized under them. Have a clear way to get back to the home page no matter where your readers land. Very often, a search can have your reader begin on a section other than the home page. Short paragraphs and bullet points also make the information more scannable and likely to be read. 
  4. Easy to find
    You need to have a domain name (URL) that describes your business, or is your company name, and contains main keywords. If your business depends on people being able to contact you or call your sales team, put that information where they can find it easily (in the header and footer of every page). If you use social media to connect with customers, then be sure to put links where they are easily found.
  5. Keep your pages uncluttered
    Readers need to be able to put information in context. If a site has too much information, it overloads. Be sure you use a balance of text and graphics that present a clean page. If your widgets, and gifs, and video content do not support the purpose of the page, remove it.
  6. Make sure it's accurate
    Inaccurate information will frustrate consumers, whether it's a wrong number, outdated information, incorrect product details, or basic grammatical errors. Not only should you proofread each page before it goes live, but you should periodically check each page, especially after making updates. 
  7. Get personal
    Just as local brick-and-mortar businesses invest heavily in their storefronts to represent their brand images, e-commerce retailers need to create a similar high-quality online experience in keeping with their brand. Your "About Us" page should not be a bland block of text about your company. We recommend including a good, current photo of yourself and/or your team. Consumers want to know that there's a real person who's going to be working with them. 
To remain competitive in 2020, websites need to engage their users and create an enjoyable experience. Shoppers are looking for a seamless way to get what they want, and when they want it. Keep it clean, simple, and current.
0 Comments
    crawford website design, gettysburg website designer near me
    search engine optimization, seo, social media marketing, smm

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    February 2024
    May 2023
    January 2023
    April 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    July 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    May 2010

    RSS Feed

    Categories

    All
    Adams County
    Advertising
    Apple
    Article Marketing
    Backlinks
    Best Seller
    #beunique
    Bing
    Blog
    Blogging
    Blog Promotion
    Blog Promotion Newsletter
    Blogs
    Branding
    Brochures
    Business
    Business Blog
    Business Cards
    Call-to-action
    Content
    Content Development
    Content Management System
    Copyright
    Copywriting
    Crawford Designs
    Creativity
    Customers
    Design
    Digital Marketing
    Direct Mail
    Direct Marketing
    Domain Names
    E Commerce
    E-commerce
    Ecommerce
    E-mail
    E Mail Marketing
    E-mail Marketing
    Email Marketing
    Email Signature
    E-newsletters
    Event Promotion
    Expertise
    Facebook
    Fair Use
    Find Me Online
    Forums
    Free Wedding Website
    Gallery
    Generic Domain Names
    Get Found Online
    Get Noticed
    Getting Started Online
    Gettysburg
    Gettysburg Design
    Gettysburg Web Design
    Gettysburg Website Design
    Ghostwriters
    Ghostwriting
    Global Grand Opening
    Google
    Google+
    Google+
    Google Plus
    Graphic Design
    Graphic Designers
    Graphics
    Grow Sales
    Grow Your Business
    Hanover Website Design
    Hashtags
    Inspiration
    Internet Marketing
    Internet Scams
    Keywords
    Link Building
    Linkedin
    Local Marketing Strategy
    Logo Design
    Logos
    Marketing
    Marketing Collateral
    Marketing Materials
    Marketplace
    Media
    Networking
    New Oxford Website Design
    News
    Newsletter
    Newsletters
    Newspapers
    Offline Marketing
    Online Catalog
    Online Marketing
    Online Pr
    Online Presence
    Online Store
    Open For Business
    Pa
    Pa Web Site Design
    Plagiarism
    Ppc
    Press Release
    Press Releases
    Print Design
    Print Marketing
    Promote Business Online
    Promotion
    Public Relations
    Quality
    Quotes
    Real-time Search
    Reporters
    Reputation Management
    Review Sites
    Roi
    Rss Feed Reader
    Rss Feeds
    Search
    Search Engine Optimization
    Search Engine Rankings
    Search Engines
    Search Rankings
    Sell Products Online
    Seo
    Shopping Site
    Site Review
    Small Business
    Smartphones
    Snail Mail
    Social Media
    Social Media Marketing
    Social Network
    Social Networking
    Social Networking Profile
    Social Networks
    Social Neworking
    Speed Networking
    #stevejobs
    Time And Money Savers
    Today's Marketing Tips
    Top Twitter Picks
    Traditional Marketing
    Twitter
    Twitter Tips Tuesday
    Video
    Video Marketing
    Video Slideshow
    Virtual Real Estate
    Virtual Storefront
    Web Design
    Web Designer
    Web Designer Gettysburg
    Web Design Hanover Pa
    Website
    Website Content
    Web Site Design
    Website Design
    Website Designer
    Website Designer Near Me
    Website Designer New Oxford
    Website Design York Pa
    Websites
    Website Traffic
    Website Trends
    Wikipedia
    York County
    Youtube

    Google

    Google+

    View my profile on LinkedIn
Website Design Gettysburg | Services | Website Designer Near Me | Prices | Contact Gettysburg Website Design | Design Blog
From Our Blog
3 Steps to Improve Your Google Business Listing Ranking •  Search Engine Optimization + GMB = More Leads & Sales! • Website SEO Checklist​
Secrets To Building an Appealing Website For Any Niche
Crawford Designs, LLC
​
Gettysburg Website Design
50 Seymore Road, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Website Design Portfolio  |  Marketing Portfolio
​
Privacy
© 2025 Gettysburg Website Design.
717-855-3184
SERVICES: Website Design, Local Gettysburg Website Design Services, Website Design Company, Website Development Company, Freelance Web Designer, Web Design Company, Web Development Company, Business Websites, Corporate Websites, Business Marketing and Advertising. Website Maker, Web Site Creator, Web Builder, Done For You Websites, Hire a Website Designer, How to Get a Business Website, best website design companies for small business, website design pa, website for small business owners, web design and marketing company, top website design company, york county web design, local web design companies near me, small business web design near me, web design westminster md, web designers in hanover  pa, small design companies
sitemap
FREE Marketing Chat with Crawford Designs
  • Local Website Designer
    • About
    • Resume
  • Services
    • Website Design / Redesign
    • Search Engine Optimization | SEO >
      • GMB
    • Social Media Marketing | SMM
    • Email Marketing
    • Graphic Design | Print Marketing >
      • Print
  • Free Website Audit
  • Prices
  • FAQ
  • Contact
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Locations >
      • Gettysburg, PA
      • New Oxford, PA
      • Hanover, PA
      • Littlestown, PA
      • Website Designer Near Me
    • News >
      • Website Developer
      • Design Tips
      • Glossary of Website Terms
  • Blog