If you’re like many small businesses looking to take advantage of the internet with a great new website, you need some information about how to choose the right web designer / developer for your particular needs. This article will hopefully both answer some questions and provide you with some important tips, precautions, things to ask, things to watch out for, and more when choosing a new web developer. All of which can save you time and money.
First Things First
Gather some information about your business or service. At the least, perhaps write a short description of your business, who your current customers/clients are, who your audience is, who your competition is, and what it is you would like to do with your new website. Try to include a time frame in which you would like to have your new website complete. This will also help provide a clear goal to your web designer and help avoid any misunderstandings.
A professional, results driven website is not created at the click of a mouse after gathering only general information from you.
Communication
Good communication will result in a better website. Before deciding on a website designer ask him/her a couple questions. For example, what programming languages are they fluent in? This will tell you several things; their response time to your email/phone call, their educational/experience level, and helpfulness in answering your questions.
Some Questions To Ask
- What is your fee structure?
- What about changes/updates to my new site after completion?
- Will you be outsourcing any of the work?
- Will I be the legal owner of the domain name?
- Who will legally own the site and its code when complete?
- Do you have real/live keyword examples of your SEO (search engine optimization)?
- Have you ever been blacklisted, reported for spam, or banned from an online service?
- What programming languages are you fluent in?
- What security measures will you take for my site? (spam prevention, ssl, etc.)
- Do you use any "free" website design services? (office live, homestead, etc)
Things To Watch Out For
- Inconsistent fees
- Guaranteed search engine placement
- “Free” hosting (Very limited, no results, no ownership)
- Years in business
- If it sounds like a amazing deal, it's likely not
- Low flat rate pricing for "Complete Site" (No results, very limited, often template)
- Designers that use "free" website design services
(office live, homestead, etc)(Very limited, no results, no ownership)
Things To Expect From A Good Web Designer/Developer
- Alot of friendly questions about your business or service
- Suggestions for your business online
- Upfront pricing
- An interest in working with you
- Listens to your needs
- Website ownership upon completion
Skill Level
Carefully analyze a web designer’s portfolio. This will give you a good idea of their general skill level and attention to detail. Everything should work properly, flow and attract the target market. Some tell tale signs of a poorly designed website are:
- Error messages (either on the page or on the bottom left of the browser
- Missing images, links, etc.
- Color mismatch
- Broken lines & alignment issues
- Issues with different browsers
- Takes TOO LONG TO DOWNLOAD
- No room for growth (adding stuff)
- Little difference between portfolio examples (all look the same)
Overall
Your designer / developer should be a invaluable tool for your online business or service needs - Someone who will work with you.
From a new online store or to give your existing eCommerce site a makeover, let us do it for you.
Custom web design for a local Rhode Island attorney/law firm. Featuring a dynamic photo slideshow, custom logo design, (SEO) search engine optimization, Google Maps, easy contact information, and more.
