Tips and
Suggestions for
choosing a Web Design Company
Most
businesses small or large do not have in-house expertise
to custom design websites themselves and will need to contract the
work out to an external web design company. The
importance of a professionally designed website is
essential. A poorly designed or outdated website can
have a negative impact on a company's brand and drive
customers away to competitors. A company's website
is a window to its products and services and more often
than not, the
first point of contact with
customers. It's important
for a business website design to convey the company's
quality of work. If the company's website does not have
that professional look and feel, does this reflect on
the actual business itself? First impressions count.
It’s said that potential customers decide within the
first 30 seconds whether or not to leave a website. With
only 30 seconds, it is vital for
your website to present the right image and brand for
your business.
-
Shop around!
- Compare the quality of
designs with the
design prices.
- Take some time to go through their portfolio
page and visit
the actual websites themselves looking not only at
the quality of the design but the quality of
the pictures that are placed within the website. Check the websites functionality. Are they easy to
navigate? Is the menu system consistent throughout
the website?
- Compare apples to apples when your comparing
prices!
What's included in
your website quote? How
many pages (Home,
Services, About Us etc) is included in that price?
Will they supply a contact
form on your site or
is that an extra cost? Does their price include
website optimization or is that an extra fee?
What will future changes or additions cost? Is
there any enhancements included in that price?
Does the design company offer hosting
services? What's
included in their hosting prices? What's included in
their hosting packages i.e. do they offer website statistic
tracking, company
email account programs etc. Hosting plans vary in
price because of hosting services they provide
vary.
Get
References!
Contact the web
designer's existing clients
before going with
any web company.
Again, you can find their references by going
through their portfolio. Most websites have an
email, phone number, and/or a contact form. Don't be
afraid to contact their clients. They may or may be happy with their design, they may
or may not be happy with the follow up customer
service after the site is live. Do they feel their
designer went above and beyond? And most
importantly, is the site generating new business,
calls and leads?
Don't be intimidated by the
website designer's lingo. If a website company is
speaking in terms you do not understand, do not be
afraid to ask them break it down to you in laymen's
terms. You should understand everything that they're
quoting you in a design price and why.
Don't Settle! You
don't have to
compromise quality
for affordability.
Chances are you will get very high quotes and
extremely low quotes. Keep in mind this is your
business website for the world to see and most often
you will get you pay for. However, a simple 5 page
informational website design should NOT cost you
several hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The
price will usually go up with the enhancements you
choose for your website such as Flash, Music, Video,
Blog, image viewers and so on. Compare apples to apples
when comparing website design prices. Compare the
number of pages on each quote, the overall design,
the number of pictures within the website and so on. Then revisit
the quality of work each company before making your
final decision.
Doing a little homework in the
beginning will save you time and money in the end!
|