This could be a really short blog entry. As I’ve already addressed on LinkedIn, web design is a trending topic right now—namely, the state of the industry in our ever-evolving technology universe.
If “web design is dead” sounds shocking, well, that’s the whole point. It’s an eye-catching declaration, and one that can win some people the attention they crave.
Of course, the fact that it’s totally invalid doesn’t make the headline.
What are they claiming killed website design?
Why do they say website design is dying?
So the claim here, while false, is simple: that professional website design is no longer necessary because social media has taken the place of well-designed websites. They’re basically saying you can use Facebook and TikTok for all your information. (*shudder*)
On top of that, the claim here is that if you do want a website, web design templates and website builders are all you need. And why would you hire an experienced, professional digital designer to do what the free template or AI designer is doing for you (and 10,000 other businesses with the exact same website)?
What’s wrong with this claim?
For the first claim, let me just say this: Social media is an awesome tool…but it’s very limited. (And by the way, you need a social media professional, too. People like to joke about big businesses’ “social media intern” running their Twitter accounts, but it’s absolutely not true. Social media is a real, professional digital marketing need in our day and age.)
But social media is no replacement for websites.
In fact, your company’s Facebook page or Instagram profile is even more limited in scope than a template-based website. You can’t make yourself stand out from other companies’ accounts; you’re doing exactly what everybody else is doing. And you’re only able to offer what those social media platforms say you can offer.
When it comes to web design templates and AI site builders, well, they’re doing pretty much the same thing: giving you exactly what everybody else gets.
I’m pretty sure you don’t run your company that way, so you don’t want your paint-by-numbers website to give people that impression.
And if you happen to get an original idea for what you want your website to do? Well, good luck explaining that to your template.
Website Design is Alive in Well
I’ve been in this industry for nearly a quarter century, so trust me: Web design templates have been around as long as web designers have. They’re not new, and they’re not catching up.
By the time you see a website template, it’s already available to millions of users. It’s never, ever “new.” And it’s certainly not unique to your company or your needs.
Using a website template is like buying a Smashing Pumpkins t-shirt at Target. You’re not expressing your edgy taste or your unique personality. You bought it at Target.
One-of-a-kind businesses will always need one-of-a-kind, full-time web design professionals to create their websites from scratch, the way they want them to be made.
Be wary of anyone trying to tell you otherwise.
