You will run into a number of good web design firms. Choosing one can be difficult. However, if you do a little preparation before you start calling, the process of finding the perfect company becomes much easier. So, let's start at the beginning:
Seven Essential Questions to ask a Website Designer:
Have they created any other websites like yours? Get a list. Designers with experience in your industry are a plus. When looking at these sites, determine if they are laid out well. Is the graphic design professional?
Do they have an office? I know this may sound like a strange question, but one of the problems we have in our industry is that anyone can claim to be a "web designer." Many so-called webmasters actually have full-time jobs somewhere else and "do" web design at night. Ask to have your first meeting at their office. This meeting will give you a definite feeling of how stable and successful they are.
What is the length of a typical website design project? Different designers will give a wide range of answers on this question. The key is to explain as much of the scope of your project as possible to them so they can give an accurate projection. Larger sites tend to take longer. In other words, more pages equals more work. Add to that complex elements like shopping carts, blogs, and forms, and the site can take quite a while.
Does the Better Business Bureau give them a good rating? This can be one of the most objective measures of a potential vendor. Companies that have had bad experiences with a web designer will complain here. I recommend you look for someone with an "Accredited" rating.
When the website is complete, will you OWN it or will they? Believe it or not, in most states, if someone builds a website for you, THEY own it. That's right, even if you paid them for it, the company that built your site legally owns it. Make sure that the company you do business with "waives" ownership and transfers all legal rights to your site over to you. That way, if you ever become dissatisfied with their service, you may take what they created to another developer and not have to start over. Some unethical companies will actually hold your site hostage and not allow you to take it elsewhere. Demand full website ownership in writing from any web designer you do business with.
Can you update the site yourself? Or do all changes have to be made by the designer? Before you embark on any web design project, make sure you understand what aspects of the website you can change and which have to be done by him. Different firms have different policies and requirements on this point, so get concrete answers on this one.
Do they help your website get found in the search engines? Most people focus so much on the "building" of the website, they give no thought to how it will be found. Keep this in mind. The old adage, "If you build it, they will come," is not true. Simply having a website does not guarantee visitors or customers. People must FIND you. Ask your web design company about web promotion services.
Remember, you need to find the best web design firm for your business so that the first impression your customers have leads to that crucial sale or lead. After all, that's why you want a website in the first place, right?
Seven Essential Questions to ask a Website Designer:
Have they created any other websites like yours? Get a list. Designers with experience in your industry are a plus. When looking at these sites, determine if they are laid out well. Is the graphic design professional?
Do they have an office? I know this may sound like a strange question, but one of the problems we have in our industry is that anyone can claim to be a "web designer." Many so-called webmasters actually have full-time jobs somewhere else and "do" web design at night. Ask to have your first meeting at their office. This meeting will give you a definite feeling of how stable and successful they are.
What is the length of a typical website design project? Different designers will give a wide range of answers on this question. The key is to explain as much of the scope of your project as possible to them so they can give an accurate projection. Larger sites tend to take longer. In other words, more pages equals more work. Add to that complex elements like shopping carts, blogs, and forms, and the site can take quite a while.
Does the Better Business Bureau give them a good rating? This can be one of the most objective measures of a potential vendor. Companies that have had bad experiences with a web designer will complain here. I recommend you look for someone with an "Accredited" rating.
When the website is complete, will you OWN it or will they? Believe it or not, in most states, if someone builds a website for you, THEY own it. That's right, even if you paid them for it, the company that built your site legally owns it. Make sure that the company you do business with "waives" ownership and transfers all legal rights to your site over to you. That way, if you ever become dissatisfied with their service, you may take what they created to another developer and not have to start over. Some unethical companies will actually hold your site hostage and not allow you to take it elsewhere. Demand full website ownership in writing from any web designer you do business with.
Can you update the site yourself? Or do all changes have to be made by the designer? Before you embark on any web design project, make sure you understand what aspects of the website you can change and which have to be done by him. Different firms have different policies and requirements on this point, so get concrete answers on this one.
Do they help your website get found in the search engines? Most people focus so much on the "building" of the website, they give no thought to how it will be found. Keep this in mind. The old adage, "If you build it, they will come," is not true. Simply having a website does not guarantee visitors or customers. People must FIND you. Ask your web design company about web promotion services.
Remember, you need to find the best web design firm for your business so that the first impression your customers have leads to that crucial sale or lead. After all, that's why you want a website in the first place, right?
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Want to find out more about online marketing and web design? Then, visit Eric Spellmann's site on how to choose the best website design specialist for your needs.
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