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Many think having a custom designed Website may not be beneficial when free templates are available for download on the Internet. Let's look at the advantages of hiring a web designer over using these free templates

Custom web design:

Unique Design: Your site should be unique from any other on the web, and a custom-built Website ensures other sites are not using the same site you are. Your site will be an extension of your image.

Expansion: There may be features you wish to have in your Website, such as login systems, as your site grows and gains popularity. Working with your web designer, you are able to map out future features for your web site.

Search Engine Optimization: The right web designer should be able to improve rankings in search engines (Sarah's Hallmark: Hallmark Greenwood Indiana Hallmark 46142)

Templates:

Free: The template is free for you - and the rest of the world. While true you can purchase an exclusive license to use the template, everyone who obtained the template before you is still legally able to use the template.

Graphics: The graphics available on templates may not be permissible to use on commercial Website, or may not even be cleared for any usage other than as a placeholder for the template. You also may not be able to use the graphics on items such as letterheads and business cards, losing your branding image. A good Website incorporate the company's brand.

Maintenance: Replacing the text already in existence sounds easy enough. If you don't know HTML and CSS, you are limited on your updates, and may spend time having to learn the basics or higher a person to maintain your site. Ask your web designer about Content Management Systems. Content Management Systems vary based on your Website needs and by web designer, and may include image uploading capabilities, text editing, and more.

Search Engine Optimization: Many templates are created to look great, and not necessarily for search engine optimization. Working with the right web developer, your site will perform better in search results.

Inspiration: Looking at templates, you are able to share with your web developer a color scheme, look, feel, and features you may like on your own unique site.

Cross-browser: Some templates may have not undergone testing across multiple browsers (Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer, etc.) limiting your web audience.

Higgens Media sets up many websites, from site design to helping clients navigate the world of domain registration and hosting. Fortunately, we offer affordable hosting to all of our clients, so that portion is easy. The domain registration - the actual name people type to get to your website - is a market that ranges in price. Many people pay more than they need to for domain names, and always deal with a middle man. The best choice in affordability, in our opinion, is GoDaddy. We are not a GoDaddy affiliate, and don't endorse them, but we have found that their domain names are affordable. We've been pointing our clients to them for years, and now we want to share with you on how to secure an affordable name on the web.

When you first load GoDaddy.com, you may notice that new .coms are $10.69 (as of 3/12/10). This is a great deal in and of itself, but there is an even more afforable way to claim your domain name with Godaddy.

Search Google for "godaddy coupon" and you will see a listing paid for by GoDaddy (as of 3/12/10). The advertisement points you to GoDaddy.com and allows you to claim a domain name for $6.99. When you click on the link, a coupon code is stored during your shopping session and you will be able to save $3.70. It may not be much of a savings, but we like to think every penny counts. The savings also adds up if you register more than one variation of your name.

Please feel free to share this article with individuals and businesses looking to start their own business. If you need help designing/developing a website for that newly acquired domain name, please be sure to contact us and see how affordable a great looking website can be! Of course, before you do that, feel free to browse our portfolio.

We hope that you enjoy the fresh, new look of our website. The projects we have been working on lately have been exciting, especially as we bring many websites up to speed in the Web 2.0 Era, connecting them with social networks. This news section will not only be used to share news about our media company, but we will be sharing insight into great design. Higgens Media was started so that the internet is a more pleasant place to browse, starting with great design. We hope to share some great tips and advice you can use on your current web or design projects. Whether you're a company, an organization, or just an individual interested in ensuring a great image, we think you'll find our news page helpful. Please contact us so we can work with you on your next design project. We look forward to working with you.