How to hire the right web design agency for your project!
With the rapid growth of technology, more companies are shifting towards using the internet as the primary method of promoting their products and businesses. Therefore, a fully functional website that is responsive is the need of the hour for businesses to reach millions of potential customers all around the world.
With so many Website design and development companies out there, it can become a herculean task to choose the right one for your business. On the surface, all the companies may look the same and provide the same services, but as you begin to dive deeper, it is only then that you understand the true value of a good web design company’s expertise. This is one of those tasks that should not be taken lightly.
Wondering how to choose the right web design company for your project?
Listed below are 13 key points that will help you a great deal.
1. Your requirements
Even before you start searching for a web design agency or a freelancer, it is crucial to outline your needs. Outlining your needs will determine the type of team you will choose to work on your web design project.
Whether you are looking at a small redesign project or an entirely new website that requires custom work and tech integrations, will influence who you work with.
Details like whether the website will be an e-commerce website or a social media platform or if it requires email integrations and custom layouts — such integral information should be shared with whosoever you decide to work on your project.
2. Process of web design and development
The process followed by a web design & development company is crucial as it ensures that the goals and deadlines are met. The company you hire should ideally give you a timeline for major deliverables and key milestones so that you know when to expect them and plan your availability for the reviews, approvals, and feedbacks accordingly.
An agile process can save time and guarantee great results, whereas a lack of proper process can lead to a delay in the launch of the website and plenty of frustration alongside.
3. Your budget
When hiring a web designer, the cost of the project should be discussed up front and in detail to avoid any confusion and issues in the future.
Some questions you must ask yourself are:
- How much are you willing to spend on the project?
- Will you be billed on an hourly basis or fixed cost basis?
- Does the contract cover unexpected delays, unsatisfactory work, and other hitches in the process?
Be sure to check into exactly what you will get out of your investment. Make sure you are aware of the services included in the price quoted.
4. Experience in your vertical
Although this is not the most important factor, it is a crucial one. Hiring an agency that has designed websites for businesses in your field will give you an added advantage. It will even be easier for the agency to understand your requirements and customize the website to suit your needs. If they are experienced in your field, they are more likely to deliver a high-quality website to you.
5. Agency portfolio
Any web design and development services provider that has been in business for a while will love to show off their portfolios to their clients. Take your time to go through the collection of their past work as it will help you determine whether they have what you are looking for. Avoid a company that hesitates to show you their past work as it is an indication of them trying to promise more than they can deliver.
6. Customer Service
Go for a company that offers excellent customer service and are professional in their approach. Their communication skills need to be impeccable and reliable as you will need constant updates on how far the work has gone.
7. Whether the agency gets the work done in-house or outsources it
Next important factor that needs to be considered when deciding what to look for in a web designer is whether they get their tasks done in-house or outsource it to someone. Don’t hesitate to ask whether or not the company performs all of its services in-house. This may include design work, coding, content creation, marketing, etc. A team that is well versed in all areas is likely to merge all talents and create a successful site. Also, when all the tasks are performed in-house, it results in better communication, collaboration, and even better results.
8. How large is the company and details of the team
Know how many employees does the company have and their areas of expertise. Figure out if they will be able to handle the scope of work. Who will be the point of contact and how many people will be working on your project? Can you get all of the key players together in an initial video call to put faces to names and test the waters?
The quality of employees is much more important than the quantity of the employees. An ideal web design agency is the one that can handle all your needs quickly and efficiently while also having the right tools at their disposal to ensure all requests are properly seen to.
9. Support post project completion
After the completion of a website design project, there can be a requirement of ongoing maintenance and support. From small bug fixes to critical security updates that impact your search ranking, your site is a living entity that needs as much attention post-launch as it gets during the design and builds stages. Does the agency provide support and maintenance services post project completion?
10. Reviews on various platforms
This can play an important role in helping you decide which agency to hire for your project. Check if the company has reviews on Clutch or Skilled. Has the web design agency been recognized by its peers through accolades and awards? Are the leaders of the web design company invited to speak at events, conferences or workshops? This is an excellent way to distinguish between good and bad web design and development companies in India.
11. Do they practice what they preach
In your quest to partner with a web design company, it is very crucial to scrutinize their website, content, social media profiled and overall digital presence. Check if their website is fully functional or if it has broken links. Are they publishing new and quality content on a regular basis? If they aren’t following best practices related to web design & development, then how can you be sure that they will for your business?
12. How accessible is the company
If there is an issue regarding the service provided, like an error or a bug, how do you reach out to them? Do you have to email them or call their office? Or is there a way to talk to the concerned person directly via call?
13. Who owns the website when the project is over
Some web design companies retain the copyright to their work. Confirm who will have 100% ownership over the site once completed. Areas of ownership include the graphics, content, and code. Also, ask whether you will be provided with the original design files.
Hiring a web design and development agency in India that can successfully complete your project can be a massive task, especially if you don’t know what to look for. But we hope that our guidance and suggestions were helpful. No matter what questions you ask the agency, keep one simple thing in mind — the success of your project should matter just as much to your chosen web design agency. Do your homework, present all of your needs up front, and don’t be afraid to ask all of the questions mentioned above — and more!
Originally published at www.raredevs.com on September 11, 2018.
