I really have a lot of pleasure in writing this article, I will give some references of my real time samples. As the title indicates “Do you really require a Graphic Designer?” — Graphic Designing is the art of representing the layout of the project or ideas to give a overall layout of the visual and design elements of the project. This give the client an idea of the deliverables of the project before more expensive and time consuming web designing and programming start. Medium to Big corporation don’t even think of moving forward without a graphic designer on board, But small to respective individual think it’s a waste of time. As they think designing is easy, as there are a lot of layout build in ready is available, and with little color modification is ready to work. —— “Well off course a myth”
As every body is a Graphic Designer — so far they are viewing their own design. Generally if you are doing e-commerce or services which demands a sell of equipment more than $5,000 or medical tourism or any premium service needs to have a decent professional looking website which enable them to close the deals very easily. Website done with profession is the key to success as it is the face of your business and a silent marketing tool. Professional looking website gives you the credibility of online selling.
I have an interesting case study, one of my acquaintance, who happened to be an IT professional but not designer, want to sell some services which cost on average $6,000. But he himself want to build his own website, as he has some idea of html5 and css3 and starting from paid theme and change colors should not be that hard. After 1.5 months of gruesome effect the website and content is up and live, and he is very existed. When I saw the website it is the perfect recipe for a disaster. No one would buy service as high as over $5,000 on a website which lacks the professional touch. Moreover he spent the time to do the organic SEO. After a year they close the website and the whole effect is a waste. This I have predicted the moment I saw the website a year ago, but I answered diplomatically as I do similar kind of service, don’t want to push myself.
So bottom line don’t cheap o out on a good design with professional looking website as your conversion should be lot more. Graphic Designers show you the future of the website before it is build.