8 Qualities to Look for in a Custom Web Development Company
Having a great website is no longer an option if you own a business. In 2018 alone, consumers spent 517.36 billion dollars online within the United States. Any company that is not online is missing out on a significant revenue opportunity.
If you’re a small business or a large enterprise, websites are the initial touchpoint for your customers. So how do you develop a website that is engaging and helps convert potential sales into closed transactions?
The answer is simple. You start with the right web designer.
For every company, there are hundreds of web development companies. From freelancers to established web design corporations, several people are available to help you with your web design needs.
Choosing The Right Web Development Company
With so many web design options out there, it can be difficult to narrow down your options. From the do it yourself websites to the long-tenured computer experts, how do you know that the person you hired is the right person?
The first thing you should know is if you have little to no experience in web design, it’s best not to go at it alone. Sure those DIY websites look appealing, but unless you know the ins and outs of networking, you are already in over your head.
Most of those DIY sites run off of templates, and those templates require plugins for various options such as accepting money, scheduling appointments, etc.. Should one of these plugins not be compatible or even worse allow malware to be installed, then you are stuck with a broken website.
This reason alone is why it’s always best to hire a web development company from the start.
1. Choose Someone With Experience
Just because someone has a great media presence does not mean that they know how to design a web site. Asking to see proof of experience is not smart; it’s expected.
Most established web development companies have an online portfolio of clients that they have helped, and they are more than willing to show off their work.
You might get away with hiring someone fresh out of design school. This method boasts the benefit of your web developer, knowing the latest and greatest software and processes.
Recent grads are also willing to work for less to help build up their portfolio of work.
2. Choose Someone With Good References
A reference is more than a screenshot of a website they designed. References are essential as they let you know what it’s like to work with this person.
Will they consider your wishes during the design process, or will they steamroll you into added features that you don’t need just to drive up the cost.
If you see a website that you like, make a note of who designed it and give them a call. Many business relationships begin via word of mouth, so let their reputation speak for itself.
3. Choose Someone Who Fits Into Your Budget
A common phrase is “you get what you pay for,” and when it comes to web development, this is often the case. Price is so important that it is often the deciding factor when it comes to who you hire.
When going into the hiring process with a web development company, you need to be realistic about your budget, it would be great to have a website with all of the bells and whistles, but that may not fit into what you can afford.
Allow them the opportunity to show you what concessions you can make now to help implement the other options at a later date.
4. Choose Someone You Can Trust
Trust is critical, as this is not just someone you are hiring to do any job. This is the person that is responsible for designing and developing what will become the face of your company.
You are handing them your image and reputation and allowing them the platform to show it to the world. If something goes wrong, your client won’t think twice about your web developer. They will associate the error messages and 404 screens with you and your brand.
This web development company is also going to have all of the backdoor access to your website. The last thing any company needs is someone untrustworthy, holding the keys to their business.
5. Choose Someone With Good Communication Skills
Have you ever worked on a project with someone who had poor communication skills? It’s the worst. Miscommunication costs companies not only significant delays but money.
Staying up to date on the project helps you communicate with your clients what to expect. If people know what to expect, they are happier and more at ease with the whole process.
6. Choose Someone With Passion
Web development may be a technical field, but the foundation is embedded within creativity. When you speak to any potential web development company, you want to be able to see that they are excited about the work that they do.
If there is no passion or spark, then they may not be the right person for the job.
7. Choose Someone Flexible
How many times have you been in a meeting, and one decision gets changed suddenly the entire project has to be reconfigured? It happens more often than you think, especially in the web design community.
At the start of the project, you may have everything mapped out accordingly, yet something comes along, and now you have to remap the entire thing. It happens. But the last thing you need is someone who is so rigid that they reject any sort of change.
8. It's About Teamwork
When hiring a web development company, you are hiring a partner for your project. You need someone that can see your vision and bring it to life. They need to be able to adapt and adjust as necessary to your overall goals. In the end, it's all about creating a great web experience for your clients.
Looking to read more about what to consider when hiring a web design company, click here. For more information on web development, or to inquire about our services, check out our website for more information.
Originally published at https://www.lform.com on January 8, 2020.
