You know you need a web site, but how do you go about getting one if you don't know the first thing about design or development, and you can forget about html, css, php, .NET, the backend, the frontend, and all of those other funny words that web people use.
With a multitude of web designers and developers out there, from freelancers, to agencies, to online templates, how do you know what the right fit is for your company, and more importantly, for your goals and objectives?
The list of questions and tips below should get you started with asking the right questions. And, the best part is, you won't have to learn what all those crazy acronyms mean.
The first thing you need to do is determine your goals and objectives.
Specifically:
* Who is your target audience? * How will your target audience find your website? * What do you want them to do once they're there? * How will updates be made to the site? * What is your timeline? * What kind of return on investment do you expect from the site and how will you measure it?
When searching for a company, here are a few key questions to consider:
* Does the company's portfolio reflect the kind of aesthetic that you are looking for? Do they show a range of work from playful to conservative? Are the sites within their portfolio easy to use? Are there any broken links, bugs, or design issues?
* Does the company work with clients in your industry? Have they previously created a site similar to what you want in scope and function? For example, if you need an easy content management system to update your site with new products, have they implemented something similar for another client?
Once you have narrowed down your list to a couple of companies that seem to be a good fit, contact them with these things in mind:
* Were they responsive to your query, or did it take them four days to return your call? Were they friendly and helpful and take time to find out about your company and your needs? (Beware of companies who lead the discussion with just design considerations. How are users going to find your site to begin with and how will the site generate leads or sales?) Did they speak over your head using lots of jargon in an attempt to upsell you on their products?
* What kinds of guarantees do they offer for their products? What kind of support is available? Do they have a thorough testing process? What are the terms of the contract and who owns the final design, source code, and intellectual property?
Now that you've found a couple of different companies, and have a couple of proposals in hand, you'll want to take some time to compare them carefully and check references. Call several of the company's clients and ask the following questions:
* Did the company meet your goals and objectives? * Did they follow up after the launch, or disappear once the check was cashed? * Does the site function properly? * Are you happy with the design? * What does your target audience think of the design and functionality? * Did you get the return on investment that you were expecting?
By taking the time to ask the right questions and checking references, you should end up with a company who not only meets your goals, but exceeds them, and becomes a trusted marketing consultant.
Ivy Hastings is a Project Manager at, a company. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Ivy has written many articles about Internet Marketing for journals, blogs and publications. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for Arts Street, a Denver non-profit that teaches underserved youth job skills.
1. Decide on what you want
It is useful before going to a web designer that you have an idea of what you want to do with your site. It is not necessary to formulate every idea as a good web designer will be able to help you with possible additions to make your site better. However knowing what type of site and the size of the site that you want is very useful and will be a good guide for any discussions with a designer.
2. Decide on a realistic budget
Do a bit of research on prices for websites and decide on a realistic budget. Always remember that different services will be priced differently, for example the use of templates of open source software will be cheaper than a web designer who does bespoke designs and development. Decide on what it is you want and then you know to approach designers that offer the services you are after and what you can afford to spend on them.
3. Review a Company's Portfolio
There are a number of things to consider when looking at the portfolio of a potential web designer. Firstly you should consider the originality of their designs and the flexibility of their design work. Do they say they do bespoke design yet there is a similarity in their work which would indicate the use of templates.
In addition you should consider their experience, have they done a lot of different types of websites? Do they look like a company that is well established with a vast amount of experience? It is not to say that new companies will not be able to give you what you want but with no track record you cannot be sure of what you will get.
4. Testimonials
Is it possible to get testimonials from other clients they have worked for. In addition will a design firm provide contact of previous clients that are happy to recommend them? If the answer to this is no then you need to consider the reasons for this and whether this is a company you want to work with.
5. Communication Skills
When talking to a web design firm you need to consider how easy it is to understand them. Most people that deal with design firms will not be technically minded and so it is vitally important that the web design company can communicate in layman's terms. If you find a company is blinding you with science then this may not be the firm for you.
In addition it is of great importance that you can get hold of your firm as easily as possible. If you send them an email of leave a message for them, consider how long it takes them to get back to you. If you find yourself having to chase them, even before you start work then you find yourself with all sorts of problems once a job is underway.
If you are using a local firm we would always recommend arranging a face to face meeting at their offices. This will not only give you a chance to meet your potential designer but also give you an idea of the size of the company and how they work. However we do not believe it is essential to have a local company if the firm is easy to get hold of with other forms of communication and easy to understand. A good use of English is essential for this type of work.
6. Expertise
Does the firm you want to use have the technical knowledge that your site requires? It is always good to remember that a graphic designer is not a web designer. We would say it is always a good idea to use a firm that has both graphic designers and programmers. This way you not only get a great design but also an expert programmer to make your site work.
7. Added Value
Can your website design firm offer you other services in addition to website design? For example will your web design be able to help you with services such as copywriting, search engine optimisation and graphic design for print? If the answer to this question is yes then it is great for you it means you do not have to hunt around for loads of different firms and will keep some continuity for your business.
8. Support
What happens once your site is built? If you are working with a reputable firm then they will offer you some training and support to make sure you know how to use your site and any content management system you may have. It is also good to know that if there is a problem with your site then you can get hold of someone at your firm and they will be able to fix it for you.
Conclusion
We have provided you with a detailed list of things you should consider before instructing a website design company. If you are satisfied with the answers you get for all of the above then we are confident you will end up working with a firm that will deliver you a website you will be proud of for years to come.
Both Ivy Hastings & Mercedes Aspland are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ivy Hastings has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Blogging and Management. . Ivy Hastings's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.
Mercedes Aspland has sinced written about articles on various topics from Web Development, Forums and Home Management. If you like this article you can find out more information at Dazines - . Mercedes Aspland's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.