by Your online presence is more important than ever. If your website is out of date, it might be time for a redesign. If you don’t already have a web design agency that you’re happy with, how do you choose the right company to help you update your website?
Start with some exploratory work. Do an online search to find web design firms in your area and ask peers for references. Make a list of websites you like, whether they belong to your industry or not, and find out who created your favorite sites.
Once you have a shortlist of potential web design agencies, you should take the following steps to ensure you choose the right partner for your project.
#1 Research the company.
The web design agency you hire to create your website will hold the future of your business in its hands. Therefore, it is important that you choose an established, experienced and trustworthy company that has an excellent reputation and proven expertise in web design and related fields such as web development, SEO, and digital marketing.
Visit each prospective web design agency’s website to find out how long they have been in business, the services they offer, and the experience and specific skills of their team members. Also, look for customer testimonials or case studies on the site, and read reviews on third-party sites like Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau, Yellow Pages, and Trustpilot.
#2 Check out the websites of the agencies in question.
Many web design companies have a portfolio section on their website where you can view examples of their work. Are the websites they developed professional and user-friendly? Do the customers present there seem to be comparable in size to you?
Are the sites similar in scope? Do the websites have the functionality you need for your website?
#3 Check out some of the websites they’ve built
Many web design companies have a portfolio section on their website where you can see some samples of their work. Review these examples with the following questions in mind:
- Do the websites they develop look professional and are they easy to use?
- Does the design of the websites seem to cover the full range of styles, or do the websites look like they were created from a template?
- Do the clients featured appear to be comparable to you in size and scope?
- Do the websites have the functionality you need for your website?
- Are there any examples of websites in your industry?
#4 Make a list of “must-haves” for your website.
Making a list of must-have requirements before speaking to agencies will ease the review process, prevent you from forgetting priorities during the sales process, and help you quickly narrow your prospect list to those who tick all the boxes.
In addition to the basic requirements (e.g. WordPress experience, responsive design, ability to integrate with third-party systems, specific functionality like online payments or registration, etc.), create a second wish list for things that aren’t essential, but may lead you to choose one agency over another (e.g. logo design, secure hosting, content creation, ongoing digital marketing, print design experience, etc.).
#5 Know your schedule and budget.
Having an accurate idea of how much you can pay for a new website and when it needs to be completed is essential to finding the right web design partner.
On the financial side, you should set a range of costs rather than a single number, and be sure to inquire about what is included in the estimate and how much you will be charged for fees and services that are not included. Another important consideration is your schedule.
If you have a firm deadline for launching the website, e.g. B. before a major industry event, product launch, or sales cycle, you should let agency candidates know about this deadline and ask them to give you an honest assessment of whether they can meet the deadline, what challenges they expect to face with your schedule, and what they expect will do if they default.
#6 First, call to talk about your project and set up a meeting.
Notice how they handle that introductory call – are they approachable and friendly? Does he ask questions about your company and the details of the project, or does he immediately start an aggressive sales pitch? Because this is a company you should consider as a long-term agency partner, getting the chemistry right is important.
While the person who answers the call may not be the one you end up dealing with the most (or at all) once you sign up as a customer, that person does reflect the overall personality of the company, so make sure it fits you well.
Conclusion
Finding a web design partner that fits your business and brand does take some work, but the more due diligence you take before signing the deal, the more likely you are to get comfortable with the agency relationship, the web design process, and then after the completion of the project delivered site will be satisfied.
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