How to Choose a Web Design Company for Your Business
Does your website need a serious redesign? Finally ready to go online? Whatever the case, I don't know what design company is going to be the first step.
Does your website need a serious redesign? Finally ready to go online? Whatever the case, I don't know what design company is going to be the first step. The web design company will be helping you take your brands presence online it's important for you to choose a company that you can grow with. Especially if you're trying to use your website to monetize a brick-and-mortar store or start one online.
Start by knowing what you want to do (and what you can do)
There's no point in shopping for web design companies if you don't know what you want to do online. At the least, you should have a good idea of the functions you want your website. This can be as simple as the ability to fill out forms and as complex as scheduling online appointments through your website. Most designers will be able to help you come up with a vision for the website, but only you can really truly decide what you want your website to do.
Sit down with your team and make a list of all of the things you want the website to do. Try to understand how the website will work into your day-to-day operations and if it will automate any tasks that you're now doing by hand. Put all of these items into a list and then turn to the finance department. How much can you afford to spend on a website? How much can you afford to spend on web maintenance? Knowing your budget before you go into negotiations will help you find a company that's going to match your needs.
When you start talking with web design companies, you can use this list of features and functions to itemize the project and decide whether or not you are a good fit for one another.
Do you need someone you can see in person?
Though the job of web design company can certainly be handled remotely, some companies see great value and being able to physically visit the office of the web designer that they're working with. if your travel budget doesn't include trips to meet your web designer in Los Angeles, it's probably best to find a designer in your hometown of Atlanta.
Despite all of the advancements with video conferencing software and telecommunications, some people just prefer to have in-person relationships with their partners. if you're one of these people, it's better to start with one of these relationships then try to push yourself into the mold of working remotely with a company.
Is the company familiar with your niche or industry?
If you're looking for a basic redesign or just a basic website to get yourself on the web this question may not be so important to you. However, if you're going to use your website to make money, this aspect is very important to you.
Nearly every industry in the market today has a different angle or strategy that they can leverage online to make their business work to bring traffic. if you're looking to lean on your website for the majority of your business then you need to make sure that your website can be leaned on to perform when the traffic comes. After all, it doesn't mean a whole lot to get 10,000 organic visitors if none of those visitors convert and purchase your products. working with an agency that is already had success in your niche, increases your chances of success with that web design company.
Can you see yourself growing with the company?
What do you have a few applicants you're ready to investigate and speak with, you don't need to get onto the social element of the working relationship. At the end of the day, creating your new website is going to take a lot of collaborations no matter who you hire. If you can't stand speaking to the people of your web design team, you'll find it hard to be happy with their work no matter how well they perform.
More importantly, you need to make sure that they can be there for you in the long run. The more web designers that you use over time, the messier things can get. That's why it's important to look at your web design company as a long-term growth partner. When you're speaking with him on the phone or going over a proposal make sure to ask questions that help you understand what they're soft skills are.