Competition is Everywhere
In the last five decades, the number of ads we see every day has increased tenfold; we see approximately 5000 daily, compared to 500 in the 1970s (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/cutting-through-advertising-clutter/). Standing out among a crowd that large seems like a daunting task. In addition to eye-catching advertisements, you need a website that will grab the attention of potential buyers.
Whether you are a seasoned business owner or an entrepreneur looking to expand, your website needs to both appeal to your clientele and set you apart from competitors. Hiring a website design company is a vital step toward building a successful online presence. There are obvious factors, like budget and time constraints, that will aid in shortlisting candidates, but finding the perfect fit can still be challenging.
Here are four things to take into consideration before hiring a website design company.
1. Know What You Want
Find websites online that stand out to you and write down what you like about them; look for functionality along with the visual appeal. Take the time to look at work done by the design agency or freelancer you are considering; how do their websites compare to what you visualize for your business?
Now that you know what you want your website to look like, what do you want it to do? Before you interview potential designers, have an idea of what your business needs. The website design company you choose will depend on the skills required to create the website you need.
2. Location, Location, Location
Depending on your location, hiring a remote designer might be a cheaper, and tempting, option. If you need someone available outside business hours, a company in a different time zone can be beneficial. However, the downsides can also outweigh the benefit of saving money.
Consider how much communication is going to be involved in the project before making a final decision. Do you need the designers available during business hours or can you wait? Are there meetings they need to attend? Scheduling can become complicated if you and your designer are three or four hours apart.
3. Who is Involved?
The people involved in any project need to have a good rapport to communicate efficiently and effectively. Building a website will take weeks, if not months, and that relationship can extend into years if the website design company offers site maintenance.
If you are delegating an employee to work with the designers, bring them along to interviews. When working with a remote company, set up a video call to familiarize your staff with the website designers. Find a company or freelancer that will be able to communicate openly with you and your team.
4. What’s in the Box
Some website design companies offer comprehensive packages that include website maintenance and updates. Others only design the website, and everything else becomes your responsibility. If you are comfortable with taking on website maintenance, make sure you understand how to make changes and ask the designer for clarification as necessary.
Find out if the company or freelancer you have hired has all the necessary skills to build your website. Do they have experience with the user-interface, search engine optimization, and development? If not, you will have to outsource, and the costs can add up quickly.
In Conclusion
Make sure you address any questions and concerns before making your decision. Watch out for red flags, such as designers who do not sign over full rights to the website; this is common practice, and a credible designer should not have a problem with it.
Now you are ready to choose the website design company that fits your business. Best of luck!
