Whether you’re launching a new website or replacing an old one, choosing the right web design company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your website is often the first impression people get of your business, and the right partner can help it attract visitors, earn their trust and turn them into customers.
With so many designers and agencies out there, it can be hard to know where to start. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you find a good fit.
How to choose a web design company in 8 steps
- Know what you need. Think about the type of website you need, like a site for a small business, an online store or a nonprofit, and roughly how many pages it will have. Make a list of websites you like, and note what you like about each one.
- Define your goals. What should your new website do for you? More phone calls, more online orders and fewer repetitive questions are all good goals. Think about who your customers are and whether your branding still fits your business.
- Set a budget. Having a budget in mind helps you have realistic conversations and helps designers suggest options that fit.
- Review their portfolio. Look through each company’s past work. Do the websites look professional, load quickly and work well on phones? Have they built sites similar to what you need?
- Check reviews and testimonials. See what past clients say about working with them, especially how they communicate and how they handle problems. (Here’s more on customer reviews.)
- Ask for recommendations. Other business owners can point you to designers they trust, and warn you about ones they don’t.
- Talk with them. A conversation will tell you a lot about how a company works and whether you’ll enjoy working together. Pay attention to whether they ask about your business and goals, not just how you want things to look.
- Look for the whole package. A great website isn’t just good-looking. It should also be fast, secure, easy to use and built with search engines in mind.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Who will own my domain name and website? You should. (Here’s how to make sure you own your domain name.)
- Will I be able to make simple updates myself? Ask what platform they use and whether they’ll show you how to edit your content.
- Who writes the content? Find out whether they’ll help with the words and photos, or if you’ll need to provide them. (Here’s why content should come before design.)
- What happens after launch? Ask about hosting, updates, backups and what it costs if you need changes later.
What to expect from a good web design company
Getting to know your business: A good designer starts by learning about your business, your customers and your goals before talking about colors and layouts.
A clear plan: You should know what’s included, what it costs and roughly how long it will take before the work begins.
SEO from the start: Search engine optimization should be built into your website from day one, not added as an afterthought. If you serve local customers, that includes local SEO.
Support after launch: Websites need regular updates and occasional changes. Many companies offer hosting and maintenance plans so you always have someone to call.
Why work with Five Point Web Solutions
We build fast, secure, easy-to-manage WordPress websites for small businesses and organizations. From web design and development to SEO and our Website Management Plans, we’re with you from the first conversation to long after launch. You’ll always own your website and domain, and you’ll always have a real person to talk to.
Ready to get started? Request a quote, and let’s talk about your new website.
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