What Should I Look For In A Web Design Company?

Getting a new website can present a big investment to your company. You are expecting a return on investment and to be left with a website that will stand the test of time, without risking performance. Above all else, you need to hire a web design company that you can trust entirely to deliver a project that goes beyond your expectations. So to make sure you get the right website from the right company, we think you should look out for these 11 things.

Portfolio

Whilst everybody has to start somewhere, you should be able to see a portfolio of work that makes you think “wow”. Look at how many projects they have completed, and the types of sectors they have previously worked with. Do they have good examples of sites similar to yours? The key thing to look for is a consistency of high-quality projects over a variety of purposes, sizes, complexity and business types.

Time

Time is always something to be mindful of. Agencies and web design companies normally have several projects being worked on simultaneously, meaning their resources are shared across multiple websites at any one time. For your project to be successful, it will need to work to your deadlines as well as the web design companies available time. If they don’t have the time, you either need to be willing to wait or find the next best company.

Approach

Each company has their own style and approach to work, no matter what your business is you do it in your style. This can be a big deciding factor, if your styles don’t match up then it could become a long and bumpy road to getting the project completed. You also need to make sure that you don’t only get along with their style, but that you actually like it because nobody wants to pay for something they don’t like.

Ethos

Each company you work with, in any sector, has their own ethos; a culture, an attitude, to how they work. Don’t just work with somebody who has a good ethos, look for one that upholds business values you agree with. You want a web design company that believes in what you do, that you can agree with and can make that show in their product.

Size

Size can matter too. A small company will normally have limited resources available and they can be stretched thinly if they are working on multiple projects. You will need to make a judgement on whether or not you think they can complete your project to your standard, and on time, and don’t be afraid to ask if you are concerned!

Price

There can be a few things to consider when it comes to price, but above all else remember, you get what you pay for! You need to ensure that your project can be done within your budget. Most companies work with an hourly rate so you should find a company with a rate within your budget, don’t sacrifice the quality – get the best you can get! Also, make sure you feel like you get the quality you expect for what you’ve paid.

Experience

There are so many different types of websites, that designing is no longer a case of where should text and images go, it is an art and science of making a great user journey. Consider how much experience your web design company has when it comes to creating websites for your type of business, or the purpose of your website. Obviously, the more experience the more likely they are to create a site that works.

Processes

Web design and development does not come with a how-to guide that everybody follows, whilst there are some best practices to follow, each different company has a different set of processes they go through. Ask about each companies process and understand how it works, see which one makes sense to you. This will make it easier during the project so you know what is expected of you and what you can expect of them.

Location

Whilst this can seem trivial and irrelevant especially with options like Skype available, having a local web designer has many benefits. If it is easier to meet face to face, you can form a better relationship, and ultimately end up with a better website thanks to better communication and collaboration that comes with meeting face to face and building the relationship. That, and there is nothing like helping your local community by supporting local business!

Reviews

As with any product or service you would buy, you want assurance that you are getting value for money and it is going to be a sensible investment. One of the best ways to get that is by looking for reviews. If they don’t have any readily available be sure to ask, or try to find past clients of theirs and ask about how they found working with them, where there any issues and so on. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get answers before you commit to anything.

Additional Value

You don’t need to us to tell you that relationships are key to successful business. If you can maintain that relationship whilst you expand on the work done by your web design company then you can expect better work! Some web design companies have additional service offerings that can help you and your website perform better once the site is finished. Popular options are a hosting service or management & support to make it easier to ensure the website keeps working, which will allow you to continue to build on the site. Some companies also offer SEO or other digital marketing services too to help your site become more successful.

Making the decision to get a new website is easy, but choosing a company to work with to accomplish that can be tricky. If you stick to these key indicators, we are confident you will choose the right company and end up with a website that you love. If you’re still unsure get in touch with our team and find out how we can be your web design company.