As you research design companies, consider these ten tips to make your search—and your final decision—easier.
1) Look into Skills
The skills a web designer has to bring to the table should be your first consideration. Do they understand the basic principles of HTML and CSS? What coding languages are they well-versed in? Are they up on the latest trends in SEO, content management and mobile use? Web Design Perth and other web development firms offer clear explanations of what they do so you can know what to expect from their designers.
2) Check out Previous Work
Looking at the sites a firm has created in the past is another way to get an idea of how skilled they are. A good design company will have a portfolio readily available for potential clients to browse. For example, Web Design Perth offers a gallery of previous work right on their website, making it easy to see designs in action.
3) Understand the Support System
Will the company you choose be there for you after they’ve built your site, or will you be on your own? It’s essential to know the answer to this question before hiring anyone. Accidents happen and you need to have someone you can rely on to help you fix any bugs that you come across.
4) Assess Fees
You’re not going to get a quality website for free, but you don’t want to pay too much, either. Weigh each company’s offerings against their prices to determine if what they’re charging is reasonable. Consider your own budget as you compare so you can settle on a package that delivers what you want at a price you can afford.
5) Is it In-House?
A good design company has a staff that can cover every aspect of site creation from basic coding to final design. Talk with each company to find out what, if any, parts of the process get outsourced. Your goal is to wind up with a seamless site design that doesn’t look as if multiple separate entities cobbled it together. Too much outsourcing could be a red flag that the company lacks the skills necessary to handle the type of site you’re looking for.
6) Ask for References
Knowing what other individuals and businesses think of the company you want to hire can help you make the right decision. Look for developers that come recommended by others who understand the ins and outs of web design. Get in contact with these references and ask questions to get an idea of how well a company can serve your business needs.
7) Consider SEO
Whether or not a web design firm offers SEO as part of their packages, you should still be guaranteed a site design that’s easy to optimize. Make sure that the designers are able to provide a framework that enables you to meet your current and future SEO goals.
8) Make Sure Your Goals are Understood
Originality, flexibility and open communication are key in the relationship between your business and the web design firm you choose. Don’t hire someone who already has set ideas of how every site should be laid out. Aim for designers who will sit down, discuss the needs of your business and put together a creative site that meets those needs.
9) Know the Time Frame
Building a good website takes time, but you don’t want to get stuck with a designer who keeps extending deadlines for vague reasons. While it’s true that designers may know more than you do about website creation, they shouldn’t take advantage of that to drag out a job. Discuss how long it usually takes to create the type of site you’re looking for and decide on a time frame before committing to the project.
10) Get a Contract
When you’ve settled on a design company, sit down and work out a contract that details what they’re promising to do, how long it’s going to take and how much it’s going to cost. Having everything in writing ensures that you’ll get what you want without any nasty surprises. It also gives you an idea of how flexible your chosen company is. If you run into a snag at this point, it might be better to choose a different firm.
Companies like Web Design Perth deliver the site your business needs to thrive in competitive Internet markets. Thinking of your website as a virtual storefront will help you make the best decision when it comes to who should design the online face of your business.
About Author
Bouncing Orange is a Perth based web development, web design, graphic design, branding and on-line marketing digital agency for medium to corporate andgovernment projects. Visit our website today at http://www.bouncingorange.com.au