|
How to choose a good web
design company
Once you decide you need a Web site, it´s time to decide who
will build it. If you have the technical know-how or the money to
hire a full-time Web staff, you can develop the site yourself. But
if you´re like most small businesses, you´ll want to outsource
the work.
Be careful who you hire, though. A poorly designed Web site can
cost you money, drive away customers and hurt your reputation.
Beware of people who just want to cash in on this burgeoning
industry, claiming to be Web experts with only minimal HTML
skills. Follow a few basic steps to increase your odds of hiring a
creative, technically savvy and cost-effective design firm.
- Assess your needs. You can hire contractors to create,
implement and maintain your site. If your site will serve only
as an online brochure, consider outsourcing the creation and
implementation, while handling future maintenance -- like
fixing broken links -- in-house. Be realistic about your own
goals and growth plans so you know whether to hire a long-term
or a short-term contractor.
- Research each candidate´s work. It is essential that you
research a Web developer´s work so that you can evaluate
their potential. Once you´ve found a few developers you like
-- through recommendations, Web directories or competitors´
sites -- evaluate their online portfolios and rates. A site
doesn´t have to be flashy to do its job, but you must
appreciate the developer´s design sense. Also, consider
hiring a firm familiar with your particular industry.
- Evaluate their services. Decide if the developer meets your
needs. If you want to sell your products online, look for
proven e-commerce experience. If you´re considering a
one-person firm, does the developer have the skills necessary
to create everything you need? On the other hand, will you get
lost in the shuffle at a larger firm with lots of other
clients? Determine what "extras" the firms offer,
such as copywriting, marketing and other services.
- Meet face-to-face. Your Web design firm, whether a
one-person shop or a multinational company, is going to
present your Web persona to the world. You must be able to
work collaboratively. Ask yourself these questions and rely on
your gut reaction:
- Do they listen to my needs?
- Do they explain issues in ways I can understand?
- Do they know my industry?
- Do they share my vision for the site?
- Check references. Browsing a company´s work is helpful, but
you also want to know how they work. A Web design firm can be
the most creative in the world, but if it never finishes your
site, it won´t do you much good. Call past clients and ask
these questions:
- Did they meet deadlines?
- Did the design meet with your requests?
- Were they responsive to suggestions and questions?
- Did they fix problems promptly?
- Did they work within the original budget?
Once you´ve completed these steps, weigh the pros and cons
of each contender based on its services, rates and experience.
Some points may be more important than others, depending on
your needs. Although a one-person shop may be the least
expensive, stability could be an issue. If you´re interested
in a long-term relationship, going with an established firm
may be worth the extra cash. On the other hand, if all you
want is a simple site that will serve as a static brochure,
that college student who lives down the block might be all you
need.
|
