New Experience New features can dramatically improve user experience. Online calendars that allow a user to register for events are a perfect example of how a simple feature increases value of a site. No longer does user have to call or mail in an RSVP card. As such, company doesn't need a person to answer phone for every registration.

Cheapest Employee Your website could be your cheapest employee. It has already been mentioned that your site could make your day-to-day tasks a thing of past. By adding features to your site that help educate your user base, enhance marketing efforts, as well as, develop a sense of who your users are you are in reality making your site work harder for you. The simple fact is that you have a site. Why not make it work harder and do more for you and your company? An offshoot of adding features like this is that your users have more interaction with your site and your company.

Your Future Customers The whole goal of a re-design is to create a better experience for your users. There are many approaches to attain such a goal. Maybe it is a new look, a revised navigation scheme, or a complete overhaul. Whatever outcome, your site should reflect company behind site and insure a sense of trust with you future customers.

Us vs. Them So now that a purpose has been established it is time to create look and feel. One of best ways to get started is take a look at your competitor's sites. Make a list of things that you like about site, feel work well, or things that you feel don't work well. The designer should also research your competition. Challenge designer to make your site better. Maybe it is a more professional look, better usability or more functionality. Whatever case maybe you want your designer to make your site better than your competition.

The Big Issue With economy way it is right now cost is a big issue. It will come as no surprise that Joey from down street will create a site cheaper than a professional. But what will end result be? How well will site reflect your company?

Users often times judge book by cover, so to say. If your site isn't up to par chances are good that a potential clients will leave before they go any further than home page. If they get frustrated or discouraged by your site, it won't leave a very good message about your company. This result could end up costing way more than cost of a professionally designed site.

Not Intentionally Bad No one intentionally designs a bad site. And I'm sure that a Joey down street somewhere has designed a functional well-structured site. Chances are however, that you will get a better return on money spent if you go with a professional designer.

Contact Small Farm Design today to schedule a FREE consultation on how SFD can help your business. http://www.SmallFarmDesign.com

Craig Kistler is a freelance web designer specializing in graphic re-designs, complete web development, flash, e-card, and banners, as well as, print design, identities, and stragtegies.