1. What do I want my website to achieve?
First things first. You need to work out what you want your website to achieve. Think about your business aims, goals and how you will measure success. So, if you plan on offering the option for people to buy from you through your website using e-commerce then your website goals will centre on number of sales made as an example. Or, if you're a new business and you need people to discover your brand then your website is more likely to be more of an educational tool and provide details on your products and services. Once you're clear on what you want your website to deliver for you this makes things easier when talking to different web design companies about what you are looking for.
2. How much am I prepared to spend?
Let’s face it, cost is most likely to be the biggest factor influencing your decision when it comes to which web company to choose. The old saying of “you get what you pay for” definitely rings true in the world of web design and development. If you begin to cut costs solely for saving a dollar now, you may not reap as much value in the long-term when it comes to delivering the results you planned for in step one. If a web design company can provide clear evidence of the value delivered through tangible results and can provide you with a website or service that brings a Return on Investment, then cost shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
3. Does the web design company have a proven track record?
Look at how long a web design company has been in business. Chances are, the more established companies will have more experience of working across different industries and so will have previous knowledge on delivering similar, proven solutions. It also helps to go through any customer testimonials to see what past customers have to say about their experience with the web design company.
4. How long will it take to create my website?
It's important to be realistic about timescales when it comes to developing your website. Better to get it right and take longer than anticipated than rush things along and launch a website that you're not entirely happy with. That being said, what can take up a lot of time during the web design process is provision of content, logo etc to the web design agency. If you have all your content ready to go, this will help speeds things up.
5. What additional web marketing solutions can my web design company provide for me?
The very fact that you want a website means that you want your business to be online and have a digital presence. But there is more to it than that. What about Search Engine Optimisation to make people know that your website exists on Google and other search engines? And how about email marketing to keep your clients informed about special offers? Will you be looking to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to promote your business and communicate with prospective customers? You need to choose a web design company that can offer a full, strategic service that includes all aspects that you will need to hit the ground running once your website goes live.
If you have any questions about how to choose the right web design company be sure to get in touch on 1300 966 266.