Is Website Design Still Profitable Today? How about SEO, what does it look like in 2023?
Following a conversation with a potential client who wanted to know why she should hire our services as opposed to using templates. A question that’s been on my mind for a while now popped up again. The question being; “is website design still profitable today?” And after over 9 years in the business, my answer is Yes and No. I know, I know it sounds ambivalent like I am sitting on the fence. Yet, anyone who knows me knows I do not do that lightly. You see, website design has evolved so much over the last 10 years. More so in the years since covid-19 and the global lockdown.
We now see AI, Machine learning, and robots doing what would look like magic to a web designer in 2000. This person knew their HTML, and by 2008 they had to learn CSS, Javascript, and all sorts to stay on top.
Today, a website designer has access to premium templates and website design tools that make creating a website a joy. But, isn’t this also the death knell for website developers? Won’t everyone and their Auntie Mary become website designers?
My response is that demand for well-designed, aesthetically pleasing, fast, mobile-optimised, and functional websites remains high as savvy businesses and individuals recognize the importance of establishing an online presence. Good website designers continue to be profitable in 2023. The demand for their services remains high as businesses, organizations, and individuals recognize the importance of having visually appealing, functional, and user-friendly websites. That said, I have always agreed with the saying that;
“Good is the enemy of Great…”
So website designers must become great artists and even better at marketing to stay afloat, and they have to keep their prices viable.
Still, for individuals who don’t see value outside of their own offers, it becomes a game of cutting corners and that’s why a local smaller local website designer may struggle. Because they target individuals and other small businesses, start-ups, and the like. For this website Designer, it may be time to change careers or pivot in their business.
With that said, here are a few of my observations and case as to why website design remains profitable for the focused, creative, focused designer who is also a great marketer.
Why Website Designers Are Still In Demand
#1. Creating and Growing an Online Presence is Now a Must.
Websites are essential for showcasing your skills, products, services, portfolios, and information. Making them an integral part of life today and more so for a digital strategy. We are bang into the digital era, thus establishing an online presence is crucial for businesses and smart individuals.
A well-designed and SEO’d website serves as the foundation for online branding, marketing, and communication. We have found that more businesses and individuals recognize the significance of a strong online presence, thus the demand for good website designers continues to rise for now.
Is Website Design Still Profitable Today?
#2. With the Global Lockdown came E-commerce expansion.
Today, a lot of people sell one thing or another online. We have cottage industries sprouting every blessed day and people are more comfortable selling on social media too. The e-commerce industry continues to experience rapid growth and this doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. Meaning eCommerce website designers are also in demand.
I know we also have Shopify, Etsy, and the like, yet serious entrepreneurs are investing in optimized custom eCommerce stores so they are raking it in.
Now if you are new to buying and selling, understand that businesses that sell products or services online require attractive and intuitive websites to increase their customer base, engage customers, and facilitate transactions. Hiring a website designer who specializes in e-commerce platforms and understands conversion optimization can provide valuable services to your business. Before you know it, you will be leaving your competitors in the dust.
#3. Mobile optimization – connected to #2 above.
With more people using mobile gadgets like tablets and smartphones, these devices have become the primary means of accessing the internet for many.
Thus, a good website designer must create websites that are mobile-responsive and provide a seamless user experience across various screen sizes. Such designers who can create mobile-optimized designs are in high demand as businesses aim to create Digital Apps and cater to mobile users effectively.
#4. Website redesigns, rebranding and updates are on the rise.
You cannot imagine how many business owners reach out to ask for a website redesign. Usually, they had a website designed on the cheap. Or they DIYed it using the free WordPress package. Then they grew their business a wee bit and decided to scale up. And to do so they understand the need to have a professionally built website.
That’s where firms like K-Web Social come in. You see, existing websites often require redesigns or updates to align with evolving business needs, design trends, technologies, and user expectations. Businesses and individuals that understand the importance of keeping their websites fresh and engaging, usually get a professional to do it.
Website designers who can revamp and modernize outdated websites are sought after by clients looking to improve their online presence. We recently revamped this website and it does look so much more professional, yes?
#5. Customized solutions for Savvy Businesses.
We cannot forget that there are so many website templates and online builders available. The likes of WordPress, Wix, Weebly, Canva, GoDaddy, etc. And when you check out many websites today, they all seem to look the same and merge into oblivion. Why? Because they offer free packages where they also give you generic free images to use. You can imagine if you are using all that they offer for free, you aren’t the only one.
That cannot be a good thing for your website.
Why not be one of the smart businesses which prefer customized websites that reflects your unique brand identity, answer specific questions, and meet specific requirements? Like our friend Ryan Biddulph of Blogging from Paradise who specialises in “blogging.” (pun intended) 😉 His website is definitely custom-made. No generic template in sight!
Such businesses will not accept a website template and they are willing to pay for a customized unique website. Therefore, a web designer who can provide personalized and tailored design solutions is in a position to offer added value to such clients and get paid a pretty penny to also maintain said digital assets. This brings me to…
#6. User experience and accessibility.
I cannot tell you how many websites I have visited that give me the hives! Okay, they just make me sad.
I literally feel sad looking at them. They take a year to load, they have so many different fonts and colours it is not even funny. They usually have a generic copy-cat logo and open-source free images all over the show…With smartphones which have cameras, why would anyone use generic online images? The mind boggles!
Such websites look like so many other generic websites, they also usually look a wee bit cheap – I could go on for England. I am a sample user and if it is important to me, it’s important to millions more.
User experience (UX) and accessibility have become key considerations in website design. Businesses recognize that a positive user experience, and a cohesive, and inclusive design can lead to increased engagement and conversions. Web designers who possess expertise in UX design and accessibility can offer specialized services and cater to clients’ needs in these areas.
#7. Integration with digital marketing.
Without a website, you are pandering to the whims of social media bots and algorithms 24/7.
Having a website plays a crucial role in digital marketing strategies, including search engine optimization (SEO), content marketing, and social media integration. Having a Website Designer who knows what they are doing like K-Web Social means all the above are done properly for you from the get-go.
Consultants, Coaches, Sole Traders, Partnerships, Ministries, Churches, Charities, Social enterprises, and savvy corporates all need a website. Period. But not any old website, right?
What you require is a website that is optimized for search engines, facilitates content creation and distribution, and seamlessly integrates with your marketing efforts. I can tell you that, website designers who understand digital marketing principles can provide comprehensive solutions and contribute to the profitability of a website and their own profitability too.
And we are going to talk about this next. With this said, how does a website designer stay relevant and profitable? The answer is SEO.
Let’s Talk SEO 2023 and Beyond
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation.
First, let’s get this out of the way; owning a website doesn’t mean it’s Search Engine Optimised. In fact, over 90% of websites online are NOT search engine optimised. So many people have websites that nobody outside of their circles knows about – they’re the world’s best-kept secret!
SEO consists of the use of specific keywords in your website pages, posts, and content creation. It also includes link building, technical optimization, analytics, etc.
Mind you, SEO already has competition in the form of Answer Engine Optimisation aka AEO tools like ChatGPT, virtual assistants, Pop-up chatbots, etc. Where someone asks a question and is given a detailed answer that is NOT a web link. Sounds very attractive, right?
My belief is that sooner rather than later, AEO will be as important as SEO for website owners. So getting to grips with AEO is very important for a website designer who wishes to stay relevant.
In the meantime, let me ask you, when people search online say via Google, Bing, Pinterest, YouTube, or Yahoo, does your content show up favourably? The above is only the tip of the iceberg of available search engines.
So many people’s websites are Billy-no-mates zones! So how do you change this?
By doing your research on what questions people are asking when searching for your type of product/s, services, offers. Create a list of at least short 10 questions. These are your “long-tailed Keywords or phrases” for your next 10-20 pieces of content. Now get creating it.
Then you hire a professional SEO person/s to get your local inbound marketing plan sorted fast.
Before you do that, you might want to implement some of the simple White Hat SEO Tips we share in this article. And this article is on simple blog SEO for better brand visibility.
Now let us deep dive into why SEO is still essential today and will always be as long as websites exist.
Why is SEO Essential Today? – My Top 7 Reasons
As long as websites and search engines exist, SEO is absolutely essential. Of course, it too is evolving super-fast and may not be recognisable in say 5 years from now. That said, with a website, ensuring that yours makes the right signals to search engines will more than likely ensure it is found more by your target audience. Especially if you do your research and ANSWER people’s questions in your content.
So, why not check out my Top 7 Reasons Why SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is still essential today, especially for a website designer?
#1. Increased visibility and organic traffic.
When done right, on-page SEO will in the long run help a website rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). Making it more visible to potential visitors. And I imagine you are in it for the long haul, right?
I bet every webmaster dreams of their website appearing on the first page of search results. It is then more likely to receive traffic aka clicks and organic traffic. Improved visibility leads to increased brand exposure and opportunities to attract qualified leads. A domino effect!
I can tell you right now, this is not a one-off job. Anyone who tells you otherwise is not being genuine. SEO is an ongoing process, especially with search engines like Google changing their algorithms often. So you better have a professional in your corner or know SEO if you are going to attract organic traffic and reduce your reliance on social media 24/7.
And if you’re a website designer, collaborate with an SEO expert or learn the essentials and add it to your offering.
#2. We all want a Targeted audience.
I know I am preaching to the choir here. Yet so many want it, but DO NOT DESIRE IT ENOUGH, coz the two speak to different ACTIONS. Yes, it is possible all day long. And SEO allows you to get there. By optimizing your website and content for specific keywords and phrases relevant to your business, you are more likely to attract people searching for those keywords. It costs money, am not gonna lie, so you need a budget.
So that you can start targeting specific search terms, and attract users who are actively searching for products, services, or information related to your industry. This targeted approach ensures that you reach an audience that is more likely to convert into customers or take desired actions on your website. Pinterest is our preferred go-to platform for this. It is easier to optimize keywords on this platform and attract millions of viewers to your content.
An example of one of our websites/Pinterest views as of this morning is below.
Of course, this has taken years of focused content sharing, tracking, tweaking, and of course SEO. Because Pinterest is a search engine duh! I have been saying this for years.
If you truly wish to get started on the right foot, or course correct, I highly recommend the Pinterest Growth Academy to get your assets right, attract a targeted audience and move closer to your website goals.
All without having millions of followers. You can see our account above has only 4200 followers. Sweet!
#3. SEO Affords You Credibility and Trust.
You want this, especially with a website. If people do not trust your website, they do not trust you/your brand. And high search engine rankings are often associated with credibility, authority, and trustworthiness. When your website appears at the top of search results, users perceive it as more authoritative and reliable.
But, understand that establishing trust with your audience takes time, and takes a focused effort. You have to put your money where your mouth is. For instance, to get your SEO jump started, you don’t have to be a bazillionaire you only need at least £159 to get started. Remember, consistency is the name of the game for at least 6 months. And every other 6 months thereafter.
For it is essential for building long-term relationships and gaining a competitive edge in your industry. Learn more about Local SEO here. Bringing us to my pet peeve…
#4. Professionally Done SEO Leads to Enhanced user experience.
You know my views on slow, all-over-the-place websites with no clear brand message, right?
SEO involves optimizing your website’s structure, navigation, colours, fonts, and content to provide a better user experience. Search engines reward websites that offer a faster, smooth, and user-friendly experience by ranking them higher. When your website is easy to navigate, loads quickly, and provides valuable content, visitors are more likely to stay longer, engage with your brand, share your content, and convert into customers.
Isn’t this what you want?
Then why think that just having a website or blog and pumping out content weekly with no SEO strategy is good enough?
You deserve better, you deserve to receive the fruits of all that content you keep pumping out…And starting with Local Inbound Marketing – SEO is your solution. Period.
This brings me to your…
#5. Long-term marketing strategy.
You do have one, yes? I sure hope so. And if you don’t have one, it’s not your fault, but it will be from today if you do nothing about it.
So, I recommend from the get-go to Grab our Free Digital Marketing Strategy Template today.
You see, unlike paid advertising, SEO provides long-term benefits. Even though it takes time to see significant results, the efforts you invest in optimizing your digital assets can have a lasting positive impact.
With focused SEO, slowly but surely your website will start to rank well for targeted keywords. You can continue to generate organic traffic and leads without ongoing advertising costs. You don’t have to spend hours on social media content or community engagement over there.
You literally Buy Back Your Time ala Tim Ferriss 4 Hour Week with a focused SEO Strategy.
I am sure you have been wondering why Julie Syl is not all over her social media. Well, I took time out for self-care, to do more of what I love, and yet our business has grown every day. Why?
SEO, simple. 😉
For you too, it can become a sustainable marketing strategy that can deliver consistent results over time.
#6. Professional SEO = Cost-effectiveness.
While SEO requires time and resources, it can be cost-effective compared to other digital marketing channels like paid advertising. Once you establish a strong SEO foundation, the ongoing maintenance and optimization costs are relatively lower. Additionally, the organic traffic you receive through SEO is essentially free, making it a cost-effective way to drive traffic and generate leads. You can do it with a lil help from your friends.
#7. Adaptability to changing user behaviour and search algorithms.
With the increasing use of online tools and resources, especially search engines and the evolving nature of user behaviour, professional SEO allows you to adapt your website to meet user needs and preferences.
Once you have optimized your website properly, you get access to your analytics aka website stats. This allows you to track your website reach, audience, trends, and industry changes.
By analysing search trends, user intent, and industry changes, you can optimize your website accordingly and stay ahead of your competitors.
Even if you are a voluntary organisation, ministry, or charity, proper SEO allows your organisation to be found by targeted stakeholders, foundations, and donors passionate about the same cause as you are. In turn, this means you are not perpetually chasing your own tail trying to fit into one funding criteria or another just to keep your organisation afloat.
Proper SEO will help you reach your business/brand goals faster and buy back your time to focus on the things that matter to you, your business, or your cause. So…
Is Website Design Still Profitable Today?
And what’s the best way forward for webmasters/website owners?
In summary, I cannot emphasize enough the need for website designers and developers to stay up to date with the latest design trends, technologies, and best practices. It’s essential that you offer specialized services, delivering high-quality results and user experiences for your clients.
Website designers can continue to thrive and find profitable opportunities this year and beyond. The demand for professional website design services is expected to remain strong as online presence continues to be a critical factor in business success. But, it is essential that you diversify your offering to include App design and maintenance, website maintenance and care, brand design and strategy, etc.
Above all, get up to speed with modern SEO techniques so that you offer your website design clients a user upgrade and they too achieve desired goals faster. This is because, SEO is essential today. It helps improve a website’s visibility, attract a targeted audience, build credibility, enhance user experience, provide a long-term marketing strategy, and adapt to changing user behaviours. By investing in SEO and offering it as part of your packages, you can increase your business profitability and also help your clients to attract more organic traffic, and ultimately grow yours and their businesses.
So, while the industry continues to evolve with new technologies and trends, the demand for professional website design services remains strong. By staying updated with the latest design practices, offering specialized services, and delivering high-quality results, website designers can continue to thrive and find profitable opportunities in 2023 and beyond.
Well if you enjoyed our article on Whether Website Design is still a profitable business and you want some more SEO tips, how about first you like & share this post? Then share your needs or tips below, we’d love to hear from you!
Julie Syl Kalungi
Live. Learn. Love
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