Before deciding on a web design company, it is important to do some research before making a decision. There are a lot of web design companies out there now and it’s very important that you find a reputable company to work with. Find out what their payment policies are and exactly what kind of service they will provide for you. Don’t be discouraged if you find web design companies that do not have a brick and mortar establishment. There are many reputable internet companies out there that don’t have the luxury of an office building or store front. It’s actually common for internet based companies to provide their services at a more affordable rate than those that actually have a building. Since companies that have buildings tend to demand more money from clients to keep those buildings running.
When you find the right web design company for you, don’t be shy to ask to see other work they’ve completed. If they are good at what they do, they will not be hesitant to show you what they’ve done; and when they do, make sure there is proof on said websites that they were actually the company that designed them. Make sure you are thorough with what kind of website you want, what you want it to do, and what your goal are for the future of the website. Most companies will be honest up front if they can handle your project. However, there are some out there that are not so honest so be sure to ask if they’ve designed websites similar to yours and if you can see them.
When you’re confident in the company you decide to work with. It’s a good idea to start getting ideas for pages and information together for your website. Remember, the longer the web design company has to wait on you for content, the longer it will take for your website to be completed. It is generally not the responsibility of the web design company to provide content for your website and if they do, they still need something to go on. It is very important that your website conveys your message honestly and accurately, but someone who knows nothing about your company or idea has no way to provide you with honest and accurate content for your website.
Something else that will drag out the process of finishing your website is revisions and new ideas in the middle of the project. You should have all possible ideas ready for consultation. There are many cases where clients will call in the middle of the project and want a completely new function added or a whole new design for their almost finished website. This can consume some time since it can be a setback. So don’t be discouraged if completing your website takes a little longer than expected if you require a lot of changes to a project in progress.
Once the design process starts, the web design company should provide you with a method of viewing mockups, wireframes, or actually watching your website be put together on a “staging” environment. If you are paying a lot of money for your website, it is important to make sure that your web design company is not just sticking you with a pre-designed website template and just filling in the blanks. There are actually companies out there that will do this! They will pay 50 dollars for a theme or template, then charge you hundreds of dollars for the website. Also by having a pre-designed template or theme, you risk the chance of having multiple websites out there that look identical to yours, so make sure you website is being custom designed to your specifications.
A web design company should never ask for the full amount up front but don’t be alarmed if they ask for a deposit or half down. The same way there are shady web design companies out there, there are also shady people that will let the company completely design the website, copy the source code for it, and never pay for the services. So a down payment or deposit in a way, is a win-win for all parties involved. The web design company has a little more trust that you will pay the rest of the amount when the project is finished, and you have a little more trust knowing they won’t take your money and run.
In short, do your research and find a company that can provide you with what you want while being safe and cautious about your decision. Make sure you have everything ready for your website to speed up the process. Do your homework on websites and what makes them work. It’s important that you are serious about marketing your website, especially if you are paying a lot of money for your website. For more information about marketing your website on search engines or social media websites, watch for your next post!
