Your business has grown, and you want to upgrade your website. Or you just want to refresh your website. Or you are getting ready to start the process of developing an entirely new website. But selecting a web design firm can be overwhelming.
A great place to start is to ask professional peers for references. These references can be to companies they have worked with or those they have heard good things about.
Also, take a look at web design firms’ own websites. Their own website should be their best work. Keep in mind that their site may not reflect the style you want for your site. Your site will be built with your own brand guidelines. But the design agency site should be responsive, look up-to-date, and be visually impressive. It should also offer a good user experience.
But what do you do once you have a list of potential design firms?
You interview them just like you would if you were hiring an employee. It is THAT important.
Here are five questions to ask (outside of pricing) during your interview process.
-
- Ask how they approach usability. Are they thinking about the user experience first? The firm you want to hire will be thrilled to share their expertise and their thoughts about improving the visitor experience.
-
- What content management system (CMS) do they use? Most web design firms will specialize in one or two platforms. And they will be able to objectively look at the pros and cons of each one in order to decide what CMS is the best to meet your goals.
-
- Ask who will be responsible for your site? You want one point of contact who will know everything that is happening with your site. This will be the one person you ask questions, give changes to, and receive updates from. Also, ask what tools they will use to keep you up-to-speed.
-
- Do they understand responsive web design, and how do they address it? A responsive website is a must today. Your site needs to show up correctly no matter what device is being used.
- What steps will the project involve? An experienced firm will be able to walk you through their process including what to expect at each stage, what they will need from you, and what milestones will signify progress.
These questions will help you narrow your list of potential web design firms. We would be happy to discuss your website needs in detail and help you think through what you need to meet your goals. Contact us if you have additional questions or would like to know how we answer these questions!
