Although technically, the websites that are garnering the most web awards are those that are designed by professional web developers, these said sites are not the most memorable, the most innovative, or even the most original ones. Some of these websites are not even particularly great but have a lot of online marketing power that makes them especially popular. The truth is: it is usually those websites that are designed, conceptualized, and created for private purposes by amateur web builders that are attracting more traffic – or at least, repetitive visits and further referrals from surfers.
Why is this so? The answer is quite simple. Amateur web builders do not usually have the financial resources to buy the necessary tools or the sophisticated software to create those snazzy-dazzling web designs; and so they tend to overcompensate by creating unique concepts of their own. Besides, the professional web developers are looking more into how their websites can pull in more business through traffic while following the specifications of their clients; whereas amateur creators have more liberty to follow their own concepts hoping to attract like-minded surfers.
Honestly, most personal websites, even those created to promote a business are not conceptualized with a client-first policy. Whatever the web owner wants is usually top priority; the potential market comes a close second, though. The amateurs certainly have it right, since they are the veritable masters of their own sites; they can remove, revamp or simply recast their designs whenever they feel like it.
Another advantage that amateurs have is the time frame. Most pros are locked within an agreed schedule, and they have to use the resources provided by their own companies. An amateur web developer can take all the time he or she needs (some non-professional websites are works in progress, often being upgraded and redone on a daily basis); and he or she can acquire multiple tools and software from multiple online and offline companies.
Fortunately, if you are thinking about creating your own website, you would not need extensive educational background for web development to create your own design. In fact, you do not even need to shell out a lot of money to launch a website that can be both profitable and sustainable. The two things you really need are: a lot of creativity and a heck lot more time on your hands. There are now so many other online companies offering accessible web designs.
When we say accessible, it simply means that almost anyone (with an Internet connection, that is) can avail of these web designs with minimal fuss. However, it should be noted that accessible does not necessarily mean that these web designs are completely for free. Certainly, there is a small population of online companies who are philanthropic at heart and are more than willing to share free web design tools and software to others. Or, in many other cases, these aforementioned tools and software are demo products, which are calculated to lure potential buyers into buying the full product at a cost. But these freebies are rather limited, and sometimes available only to a specific web niche, a specific time or even a specific domain address only.
The costlier ones are available online and offline; and yes, these would need a bit more technical know-how on your part. However, these web designs will give you more freedom to do what you wish with your own website. The great thing about these priced accessible web designs is that you can mix and match it with other web designs software packages in order to create a really unique and fantastic site of your own.
I think no matter the website is designed by amateurs or by experienced professionals, if they have the right content, it will work wonderfully.
Comment by Jeremy Dawes — May 17, 2008 @ 12:04 am