Your selection of the right web designer is crucial for the success of your online business. When you want your website to be unique so as to impress your audience you must consider outsourcing the task to a professional Web Design Agency. Though you may have ideas about the design and structure of the website, only a professional Web Design Company with experience and expertise in the relevant field can make your idea a reality. While hiring a web design service you must consider a few factors that are important.
Different things to look for before Hiring a Web design agency
1. Experience with the design company
The web designing team with proven expertise can design your website strictly in accordance with your tastes and preferences. A design team with a proven track record in successfully creating similar business websites will be your best choice. Their experience in the relevant field will enable them to execute the project on time and as per your expectations. Web designers who are well experienced will easily understand your requirements and accordingly, they will carry out the task of customization of your website. The experienced designers can create a high-quality website for you that will have all the unique aspects you wished. Hence, it is all the more important to consider the experience of the web designers prior to hiring them.
2. Timeframe for the web designing project
Prior to finalizing the contract the Web Design Agency must be able to inform how much time they require to complete the project. By the time the website is ready, you may have to make preparations to start your business without delay. The web designers must confirm the project deadline before starting the job. When the owner of the proposed website finds that the deadline confirmed by the designers is suitable and convenient, he can easily grant extra time to complete the project in case of unexpected issues. The web designing team must assure that once the project commences its first priority will be its completion.
3. Project Cost
It is imperative to discuss in detail the total cost of the project before finalizing the contract. The web designer must explain all the costs for designing the website so that you can check whether it is within your budget limits. In case you find the quoted cost higher, you can either negotiate the prices or contact another Web Design Company.
4. Checklist of the things they need from you
Prior to hiring the Web Designing Agency, you must obtain a detailed checklist from them regarding the various things you need to provide in order to create the website as you wish. Depending on your budget you may have to provide logo design, content, photography, etc. Those who want to design a low-budget website will be required to provide the entire content – visual and written. Experienced web designers will be able to provide the exact list of requirements.
5. Which CMS is used?
A Content Management System (CMS) is used for creating and organizing content on the website which is going to be created. The owner of the new website must find out from the web designer the CMS that will be used by them to develop his new website. This is very important for online businessmen who will be independently maintaining their websites and adding new content after the launching of the site. The website owner should ensure that –
(i) the CMS facilitates the growth of business
(ii) the website owner can make the updates on his own
(iii) he can add on eCommerce, membership, and scheduling
6. Registration of domain name and web hosting, delivery of the completed website post-launch
Prior to engaging the Web Design Company, you must ensure that the domain name and web hosting will be registered in your name only. Also, you must clarify with the designers whether the completed website will be delivered to you after its launching or whether there will be an ongoing contract post-launch. Normally the graphics for the website will be created by the designers and those files will be owned by you after the settlement of all payments to the designers. The web designers must also provide a visual type guide page on the website so as to enable you to carry out DIY tasks and also to hire another designer if and when required.
7. Post-launch support and maintenance
Web designers must use a user-friendly web platform so that after launching the website one can make changes and updates on his own. The Web Design Agency must offer you a long-term package or technical support and also they must give website training materials. A periodic training workshop online is desirable.
8. Website Security
Web designers must give assurance that the website is 100% secure and cannot be hacked. Also, they have to ensure that the website will be free of bugs and spam. SSL certificate is essential to ensure the hassle-free performance of the website. The plugins and software must be updated regularly and routine back-ups must be provided. The web designers must mention the security measures to be taken by the website owner.
9. Will you be able to add an online store to the website in the future?
Your web designer must create a simple and easy-to-operate website on a platform that helps you grow your business. However, you must be able to add an online store to the existing website as and when you need. In case that becomes impossible you will be required to build another website and link the same to your main website. Your Web Design Company must use a CMS that will support online stores and also will accept online payments. The in-person point of sale should sync with online sales.
10. Will the Web designers provide direct links to their previous client works?
A trusted Wed Design Agency must showcase its previous works. When you go through their previous works for various clients you can have a clear idea pertaining to their design styles, work ethics, and user experience. While going through the portfolio of the design company you must check the following:
– whether their designs are modern, innovative, and impressive
– whether their design style matches your requirements
– do they ensure seamless user-experience
– do they design really mobile-friendly websites
– How are the visuals? Are they professional, to the point, and convincing?
– do they have a variety of styles for web designing or do they stick on to just one style
– are there good reviews from previous clients?
– is the written content informative, interesting, easy to understand and compelling?
11. Design Process of the web designer
An experienced and reliable web designing team must have a documented process for web designing and web building and also they must be using project management software. They must update the design process periodically. The designing process will not be stressful to you only if the designers keep you on task and on budget and stick to the schedule.
12. Project management workflow of the web designers?
The web designers must make clear their project management workflow prior to the finalization of the contract. You must know in advance who will be your point of contact and how to communicate with him. Over the course of the project, you may have to communicate with him frequently. There must be a mutually acceptable method of communication such as phone, email, or software. The designing team must also set up a project schedule.
13. Quality of customer service
You must choose a Web Design Company that is truly professional and assures the best customer service. The Web Designer that you hire should match all your requirements and prior to hiring you must be clear regarding their approach and expertise.
14. Warranty for the work
The web designers must take onus for the work you assign them. They must provide you with a warranty for the work that they undertake. Or, in case of any issues in the future pertaining to the web design, they must attend to the same immediately and fix the problem.
Our concluding words
The field of web designing is indeed very vast. When you make up your mind to invest your hard-earned money in designing and developing your business website, you will start searching for an efficient, experienced, and reliable Web Design Agency. During this exercise, you need to take care of a lot of things. They include the user interface, user experience, landing pages, visual content, written content, and many more. Your task is to identify the right Web Design Company that can provide the very best solution to meet all your requirements, well within your budget and as per schedule – hire web designer today.
