Keys to finding a Professional Web Design Company

Every type “professional web design company” into Google? Go ahead, try it. I’ll wait.

Done? I just did it. And I got about 148,000,000 results. That’s right, 148 million results. How in the world are you supposed to sort through 148 million results to find a company that you can trust, and that you think will be able work with you successfully?

There’s no one right answer to this, but there are a few questions you can ask as a starting place before you even make contact.

• Do they have a portfolio of completed sites? Are those sites still online? Do I like those sites?
  This is an excellent starting place. If you find a web design company that has no online portfolio, run. Professional web design companies want to share their work. And if you look at their work and hate it all, then  you know that’s not the right company for you. If you look at it all and love it, then you know you’ve found one key for finding a company that might work for you. Keep in mind that each website is a reflection of the needs, constraints, and problems of each client, and a particular design may not be our personal favorite, but it may have been just what that client needed.
• Do they tell me about their experience? How long have they been in business? How long have they worked in the industry?
  Most websites these days have an “about” page. (Here’s ours!)  This page tells you what you want to know about any potential business engagement. People these days are voyeurs. They want to research and know about you before they make initial contact. When you find a web design company, what does their about page say? Does it tell you who you would be working with? Does it share information about their experience and training? Does it make you feel comfortable that they are competent and knowledgable? It should. If the website has no about page, or lists no experience or education, then perhaps there’s a reason for that.
• Are their rates listed and are they too good to be true? 
  Oh, I know how tempting it can be to see a really great rate for a product or services. But think about this – how is it that someone can develop a website at such a low cost? If you see someone offering custom website development for $150, then there’s a reason it’s so low. It could be that they are outsourcing to overseas contractors. It could be that you will get a template that already exists and isn’t custom. It could be that this person is going to take your money and give you nothing. If it seems too good to be true, then it probably is. We actually do not list our rates on our website, because each project has unique needs and we customize each quote accordingly.

Have you researched the company using the information you found on their website and feel comfortable enough to make that first contact? Excellent! Now, here’s a list of what you should ask:

• Will I be able to update the site myself? Will it use a content management system?
• Who will own the website when it’s completed?
• What happens after the site is launched? Do you provide maintenance should I need it?

And,  one more thing, a few things you should share with them:

• Tell them your budget. I know, you see this, and think, “WHAT? I don’t want them to know how much money I have to spend.” But, it’s a waste of everyone’s time to walk into the conversation without knowing if you are on the same page.  If your budget is $500 and the web design company’s rates start at $5,000, then having a discussion of website needs and functionality is a waste of time.
• Tell them what you need your website to do. It’s less about how it looks and more about how it functions.
• Tell them why you need a website, and how it will help you.

There are a lot of considerations when trying to find a professional web design company, but the first step is to do your own research, figure out what you need, and start the process prepared.

Need help with your website? Contact us today for a quote! We’d be happy to help!