10 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING A WEBSITE DESIGN COMPANY
When it comes to crafting a killer website for your business, choosing the right web design company is essential for success. But how do you pick the best team of designers for your vision?
Here are ten key questions you should ask before hiring a website design company.
Viewing a company's previous projects can help you get a sense of their style and the types of websites they can create. A well-rounded portfolio will showcase a variety of projects and demonstrate the company's ability to create websites that are visually appealing, user-friendly, and effective.
Look for examples of websites that are similar to what you want to create, and pay attention to the overall design, layout, and functionality. This will give you an idea of the company's capabilities and how well they understand the needs of businesses like yours.
Lead time is the amount of time it takes for a company to complete a project. A company that offers a shorter lead time may be more expensive to work with, while companies that offer longer lead times may provide more opportunities for input. Make sure to ask about the project's expected lead time so you can plan accordingly and ensure your website will be up and running on time.
A seamless user experience (UX) is essential for the success of your website. Ask the web design company about the steps they take to ensure that your website is easy to navigate, visually engaging, and provides a memorable experience.
The company in question should be able to explain how they conduct user research, create wireframes and mockups, test the website with real users, and make changes based on user feedback.
It's important to know that a website will be thoroughly tested before it goes live. Ask the company about their testing and quality assurance (QA) processes, and make sure they have a system in place to catch and fix any bugs or issues before your website goes live.
A good QA process should include testing on different devices, browsers, and screen sizes, as well as testing for accessibility and compatibility. Finally, they should also offer a system for client feedback and revisions so you can have the final word on anything that goes out.
Many web design companies offer hosting services, which can be both convenient and cost-effective. That said, hosting options vary widely and may include additional services such as backups, security, and uptime monitoring. Therefore, it's important to understand what's included in their core hosting package and if there are any additional costs for security and backup services.
You may want to know what tasks the company will handle in-house and what tasks will be outsourced to third-party vendors. This can affect the quality of work and the overall cost. Make sure to ask about the company's internal processes and if they have their own team of designers and developers.
A mobile-friendly and responsive website is essential in today's digital landscape. With more and more users accessing the internet on handheld devices, it's crucial that your website is optimized for mobile use.
When hiring a web design company, ask them about their approach to mobile friendliness. Look for a company that uses responsive web design techniques, which ensures the layout and functionality of your website automatically and quickly adapts to the device being used.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the visibility and ranking of a website in search engine results pages (SERPs). A reputable web design company will understand the importance of SEO and will take steps to optimize your website for search engines.
Look for a company that is familiar with the latest SEO best practices and has experience with technical SEO, keyword research, content optimization, and link building.
Website accessibility is an important aspect of web design and development. It ensures that people with disabilities can access and navigate your website with ease. When hiring a web design company, ask them about their approach to accessibility and if they are familiar with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
Look for a company that understands how to create an accessible website, including providing alternative text for images, using proper headings, and making sure that the website is keyboard navigable. In many regions, it is a legal requirement to make websites accessible, including in Ontario.
This question applies if you sell anything through your website. E-commerce websites are complex platforms that require a certain level of expertise. When hiring a web design company for an e-commerce website, ask them about their experience and if they have a solid understanding of e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, and WooCommerce. Additionally, they should be well-versed in e-commerce best practices, including checkout optimization, product pages, and inventory management.
Website design and development is a laborious process that requires some technical know-how and experience. Hiring a professional web design company ensures that your website is built to the highest standards and is optimized for the best user experience. A professional company will also be able to provide ongoing support and maintenance to ensure your website stays up-to-date and runs smoothly for every user.
If you're looking to hire a professional and skilled web design company, Blue Ocean Interactive Marketing is here for the challenge! We take great pride in designing stunning yet effective websites, so your visitors enjoy their experience on each and every page. Contact us today to get started!
SOURCES
https://www.designpowers.com/blog/25-questions-to-ask-your-website-designer-before-hiring
https://www.fivedesign.co/blog/10-questions-you-should-ask-before-hiring-a-web-designer
https://webolutions.com/10-questions-you-should-ask-before-hiring-a-web-developer/
https://mailchimp.com/en-ca/marketing-glossary/seo/#
