Webupon

Why is customizing so important to us? It creates uniqueness, professionalism, ownership and internet presence. It occurs more in computers than in other areas of lifestyle choices. This article discusses the people and companies that realize the importance of customizing websites, browsers, and software.

Customizing is a Technological Phenomenon

When I performed a Google search on the word customizing I found:

•   The first website listed was Customizing Mozilla.

• The first page of sites found were about customizing your MySpace page, a blogger template, the links bar in Windows, the sidebar in WordPress, your car and your clothes.

•  The 3,400 books were about customizing these things: microcontrollers, operating systems, open source security, tattoos, vans, homes, health communications, clothes, websites, Windows menus, and desktops.

These results concurred with the idea that in computers, many technologies and companies are dedicated to the idea of customization. It seems customizing occurs more often in something dealing with computer technology than in any other area of lifestyle. Why is customizing so important in computer technology? Some companies believe it established a unique presence on the web.

Customizing Websites for Presence

At a website called 899WebDesign.com, an article posted by Kristian on the importance of Custom Web Designs, in October 2008, stated that: “As internet users become more savvy, it is becoming increasingly more important to have a website that is unique and that sticks out. Custom website designs are important because it allows you to build a professional image and a brand. When people visit your website, you want them to be impressed.”

This company believes that if your website is more professional, then the visitor will assume you are too. This is easier to accomplish if your website is pleasing, unique and well put together. The internet is so competitive that presence is important and competing is difficult with a generic plain looking website.

This website was promoting customization because that was its service being offered.  (It’s interesting that the grammar in their site was incorrect. It should have read: as internet users become savvier, rather than more savvy.) Their logic is stated as this: “Because the only thing that a visitor has to differentiate you from another company is your website, you have to make sure that your website is on par or better then your competitor’s.”

This is the part of the selling point that I disagree with. I don’t think that a website is the only thing that a visitor has to differentiate you from another company. There are many things to differentiate a company from another. For example, the company’s ecological practices, the services it offers, their understanding of the marketplace, and the simplicity or accessibility of its website, can all add or detract from a company.

Uniqueness in the marketplace may or may not make you stand out more than others. You’ll have to be very creative, extremely different or really unique. Also, it is the search engine optimization on the internet which aids you today. The amount of links to your site affects how well you stand out. So customizing, while it may add to your uniqueness and professionalism, is not the only or main reason people should customize.

Customizing Vs. Search Engine Optimization

 People search for content by topic or keywords. There are sites that are viewed because of the credibility of the source, the popularity of the topic covered, the readability, the catchy title and the format. Customizing a site is important but it may not make them stand out in people’s search criteria. Just ask Google, which has developed a platform for using search engine optimization, if uniqueness of website is the criteria for listing it first.

Image via Wikipedia

Search engine optimization leads people to find articles, products and services. An article at Associated Content explains why search engine optimization is important. The author, April Geer, tells us that the keywords you use in your site should be relevant to your content and chosen carefully. Prominent keywords should make up 3-5% of your site content. Any user who uses your product or service would likely use these terms to search. See her complete article at: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/150900/understanding_the_new_web_world_seo_pg3.html?cat=15

She does not say that a user is using criteria such as creative, customized website as their search criteria.

Customizing for Exclusiveness

At an Indigo Chapters bookstore, the magazine section of the store pointed out that customizing a magazine did not help achieve uniqueness or make them stand out. People went to the magazine because they were searching by topic.