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11 Tips For Choosing a Web Design Service
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No matter how solid your business model is or how irresistible your product might be, if your web site doesn’t pass muster, your new business likely won’t last. Since there are so many design firms out there vying for your business, it can be difficult making the decision of which one to go with. Here are a few considerations you should keep in mind.
1. Price – First and foremost, price should be your chief concern. Web design prices are fairly competitive. It is the job of the design firm to try to talk you into bells, whistles and features you likely don’t need, but will pad their bottom line. Have an idea of what you want and stick to that idea through negotiations.
2. Portfolio – A huge part of choosing a web design service should be based on the prior work that firm has done. You’ll likely get a list of websites you can visit on your own that each firm has built so you can see for yourself. Look closely at the graphic design and layouts of the sites since your new site is coming from these same minds.
3. Their own website – Perhaps the single best way to tell what kind of website you’ll get is to simply look at each design firm’s own site. One would assume that they designed their own website. If you find that it meets your standards for style, functionality and originality, you may have found your web design service.
4. Talk to previous clients – When it comes to choosing a web design service, you also need to take customer service into account. You’ll likely have a look at each design firm’s portfolio, so make an effort to write down a few names and make a few phone calls. You may find out that some companies just aren’t worth working for.
5. Get it in writing – This one is a business basic, but you need to make sure that you get everything about your new website, terms, quotes, features and everything else in writing. If a company refuses to put it down on paper, move on to someone who will.
6. Proof is in the process – Make sure you find out what the website building process entails. Each one of the firms you visit should have a complete breakdown of how your website will go from drawing board to cyberspace, and they should have a time line, as well. Choosing a web design service means being informed and staying informed as your creation comes to life.
7. Will they work with you – This one may seem like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised just how many web design firms think they know what you want, even when you are telling them you don’t. It is inspiring to work with a firm that has people with vision and creativity, but if the final product has nothing in common with what you originally asked for, what good is it?
8. Text? – A surprising number of web design firms do not include content as part of their service. You may have to hire a firm that strictly does text to complete your website. Make sure you ask about web content as part of the overall package, otherwise, you may be surprised to see such a blank looking final product.
9. SEO? – When choosing a web design service, you need to take search engine optimization into account. Even if your design firm of choice provides text, it may not be optimized for search engines like Google or Yahoo. The best website in the world isn’t going to do any business if no one can find it.
10. Ask for new ideas – When you are interviewing prospective design firms, ask each one to give you an idea or a concept that you’ve never heard of before. This is a good test of originality and thinking outside the box. You can also use these ideas once you’ve finally made your decision.
11. Trust your instincts – If you are building a business website, there comes a time when you have to simply trust your instincts and go with the firm that you think will do the best job. Choosing a web design service should never completely be done on impressions, but it may turn out that your gut was telling you which way to go all along.
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