When do we need a web developer? Google tells us!

Even John Mueller anticipated, if not straight promised, it during last Google Search News video in the past few days: the other YouTube series of the company, dedicated to beginners in the Web and Research world, will soon have had new episodes ready. And so, here we are introducing third chapter of “Search for Beginners“, this time focused on the technical construction of a quality site, especially for online shops.

Suggestions to create an eCommcerce

“In order to find new customers online, your web presence will require some efforts“, says as opening statement Google Webmasters’ guiding voice, that then lists some of the typical activities of an eCommerce, such as “upload pictures of products, write their descriptions, set the prices, explain the delivery methods and so forth”.

The element to evaluate during planning phase

In the current context, there are plenty of platforms to orientate our personal business on – classic desktop web site, tablet or the evergrowing smartphone, for mobile navigation – and every one of them stands out for “time, effort and monetary investment“, as well as benefits and returns will also vary.

Therefore, one needs to already make some decisions during planning phase, like “for example, how much control you will want on the site’s appearance and if you are willing to share a percentage of your profits with the platform“.

Better to rely on a platform or to create a web site from scratch?

The video proceeds by quoting some practical cases to explain this specific aspect, for example “if you choose a photography platform“, this could mean “less control over things like color, text layout and how your company logo is displayed”. Moreover, your site will be “bounded by the term of service and policy of that specific platform”.

The other way is “to create a specific web site for your business“, with an inevitable consequence, “a bigger effort” that will though be paid off by more freedom, translated into the possibility to “decide exactly how everything will look and you will have more control on what content you choose to provide”.

Without ever forget that “some platforms like Google My Business” allow to “do everything by yourself, from displaying your address on a map to adding a photo of your shop”. Anyway, the Googlers further specify, “adding these features to your web site may require the help of a professional”.

Suggestions on how to find developers and web designers

Here it comes the second topic of the video, focused on the question “where do we find the right person to help?”, also articulated as “How can we find a good web designer