How to Choose the Best Website Design Company
There's no doubt about it, it's a daunting task to find a website company that is the perfect fit for your business. From the initial Google search to reading through lengthy proposals, it really takes a lot of time and effort to find the best web designer. Here are some of the most important things to consider throughout this process, which should help you more easily sift through your list of companies and make the best, most informed decision.
Website Company's Website
Probably the most obvious thing you will consider when looking for a web design company - their website. A web design company's website will most likely reflect their abilities to design/develop websites in general. First, the website must be mobile-friendly. Most of the traffic a website receives is from a mobile device. Second, the website should have a professional look and feel - you don't want the impression that the website is a template, personal site, DIY site, etc. Third, the website should be easy to navigate and understand. You should know right away what services the company offers (web design, internet marketing / SEO, graphic design, etc.) It should be easy to find these pages so that you can get more information about each of these services. Also, the website shouldn't be too busy. Some web designers love to cram graphics, images, text, feeds, and more into a single page - this basically just makes you dizzy (and want to leave the website). Last, the website shouldn't be slow. If the company is not speed optimizing its website, it surely will not speed optimize yours if you choose them as your web design company.
Design Portfolio Looks Good
Each company should have a good-looking, diverse portfolio. It would be a bad sign to see all the same, or similar looking, designs for each website in their portfolio. Each website in the portfolio should follow the same principals previously listed. Again, most importantly, these websites should all be mobile-friendly when you go to test a few of the sites that you like.
Website Company Communicates Well
By this time, you have reached out to a few possible candidates - either their contact form, by email, or by phone. Did you notice how quickly the website design company responds? Did you receive a proposal within the next day or two? A quick response time indicates good customer service and a strong ability to prioritize your needs. When discussing your website, does the company listen to your input, provide feedback, and ask relevant questions? Is the representative knowledgeable? By the time you hang up the phone, you should feel like you've accomplished something - all questions answered, and you know what to expect moving forward.
Fees are Reasonable
After getting a few proposals, it will be easy to see which companies are price gouging. Unfortunately, this happens quite often, in almost every industry. On the other hand, you probably don't want to just go with the cheapest web design company either. Chances are their work is not up to par, or there are hidden fees, etc. The costs should be reasonable and within your budget, of course. A company that will work with your budget is best (financing, contract adjustments, etc.)
Company is High Tech
A web design company should possess a high level of technical skills in order to create a good-looking functional website, make it fast, keep it running smoothly, etc. Additional services such as internet marketing, web development / programming, and email hosting can also indicate that the company is very diverse in its technical abilities. Otherwise, the company could just be someone loading WordPress templates and changing text (this takes very little skill and produces a slow, clunky, vulnerable website). Learn more about WordPress here.
Website Company Has Your Best Interest in Mind
Watch out for companies that suggest an expensive website, or blindly sign you up for certain types of advertising that really doesn't help your business at all. The advertising recommended for you should make sense. Don't be afraid to ask questions about regarding the significance or advantage of different types of advertising.
Conclusion
Keeping these considerations in mind should help make it a little easier to find the best web design company. Your time should be spent deciding among your top choices, not trying to figure out which companies to drop from your potentials list. The worst-case scenario would be to choose a designer and then realize later that you need to switch.
Choosing the right web design company can be tough. Let us explain why we're a step above the competition! Contact Double-Time today to discuss your new website and get a free quote.
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