Anyone who has spent time shopping for a new car knows how difficult it can be to find the perfect model. From various price points, features and manufacturers, it can be almost dizzying trying to whittle the selection down to just one car. And that’s before you start looking at specific makes and models.
Creating an online presence is no different. Whether your company sells clothing or electronics, if you want potential customers to find you easily you need a website that showcases your products in the clearest way possible. Scouring through all of the available options can feel like trying to nail jelly again after each change, and finding the right company is like finding your favourite button-up shirt: It can feel impossible until you finally find it.
What to Look for in a Web Development Company
There are many factors to consider when choosing a web development company. Some of the most important ones include what type of project you are looking for, the experience of the website designer, the cost of each project and how quickly they can get started.
If you have a smaller budget, it’s best to find a company that specialises in simple websites with fewer features. They also tend to work more quickly. If you need something more complex, then hire a company with experience in this region of expertise. They will be able to take on your project faster and may be able to start earlier too.
Nowadays, with the wide variety of options available online it can be difficult to know where to start your search. There are many websites out there that give recommendations on which companies might meet your needs but there is no cookie-cutter approach when it comes to finding the right developer for your project. Asking questions and comparing features is the best way to narrow down your choices and make sure you find just what you need from your new website design company.
Pick a Platform or CMS
When it comes to getting your website designed, most businesses will choose to use a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress or Shopify. The main benefit of using these platforms is that they’re easy to customise and update. Often times you can get started on your journey with a CMS for free which makes the process easier. As for choosing the right company, there are some things to consider.
- Do they have experience with the platform you want to work with?
- How long have they been in business?
- Will they offer ongoing support?
- What is their philosophy towards design?
- What is their online presence like?
Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand how to find the perfect web development company for your business.
Check Staff Experience and Reputation
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a web development company is the staff’s experience and reputation. Do they have years of experience in this field? What are their credentials? How long have they been in business? What other projects have they completed? Consider how big a company is, what percentage of the market do they represent, how many people work for them, and how many clients do they typically take on at once. If you’re not sure what kind of business you want your website to be, it’s also important to check out their portfolio. You want to see beautiful designs that are clean, structured, and easy to navigate— that’s because website usability is important!
If you find a company with impressive staff experience and strong reputation with a portfolio that seems like it would fit your needs, make sure you ask about the cost before signing on the dotted line.
Your time is valuable so don’t make the costly mistake of hiring an unproven firm.
Ask for a Demo and Consult Free Samples
How do you know if the website is going to look good on your computer? How do you know the company’s reputation? It’s hard to answer these questions without seeing the website and its functionality in action. The best way to find out if a web development company has what it takes is to ask for a demo.
A demo allows you to experience a website before you have invested any money into it. Asking for a demo also allows you to see how responsive the team is, whether they understand your needs and how quickly they can help with any issues that may arise.
In addition, if the company offers free samples of their work for potential customers, this gives you an idea of how well their portfolio matches your needs. If they don’t offer free samples, talk to them about possible discounts or packages that can be customised for your business specific needs. Be wary of companies who offer free trials or basic services but charge for additional features or upgrades later on. This may not be such a bad deal, but it could set off red flags from a business perspective because it doesn’t seem like they would take very much time with their project.
Interview Finalists
There are a few different ways to find the perfect website development company for your business. One way is by interviewing potential candidates. This can help you narrow down the scope of your search. It’s also a great way to learn more about what other companies offer so that you can make a decision without leaving yourself open to bad surprises later on. Of course, evaluating these individual companies is only one part of the process; the next step is finding out which company has all of the right pieces in place. The best option for this is researching and reviewing each candidate’s portfolio online.
Here are some things to consider:
- What kind of experience do they have?
- How many years have they been in business?
- What kinds of clients do they work with?
- How many projects have they completed?
- What kind of content does their website contain?
- What are their rates and fees?
- Who does their development team consist of?
Choose a Company You Feel Comfortable With
Finally, you should choose a company that feels like a perfect fit for your business. It’s important for you to feel comfortable with the people you’ll be working with and that they understand your needs.
As much as it seems like finding the best company is as easy as considering price versus features, consider the process of building a website and creating an online presence. While this can be time-consuming and difficult, it’s worth the effort in order to reach your audience. Consider how the team will communicate with you, what their experience and expertise is, how they’ve handled similar projects in the past, whether they are open to feedback, and if they will provide regular updates on progress throughout the project.