10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Website Design Company

    Monday, October 19, 20156 min read6925 views
    10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Website Design Company

    Websites today are no longer just sites on the internet that tell people who you are and what you do. Every market is becoming increasingly competitive and customers are getting more and more options to choose from. In this scenario, it is absolutely necessary that every platform you use as a marketing tool has to be optimized, including your website. Your website is your online shop and it has to be a lead generator, a profit center, and a content marketing platform.

    Your website is the digital storefront of your business, often the initial touchpoint for potential customers. Hence, it’s important to ensure that it’s built by professionals who understand your business requirements and can build websites that are engaging, lead-generating, and help achieve a user-friendly online presence.

    If you choose a website design company to build you a website, there has to be a proper communication and a clear understanding between you and the design company to make sure that you align and work together smoothly. Below are some of the questions

    1. Do you have a portfolio I can see?

    The very first thing you want to learn about any website design company is their portfolio, through which you can the projects they’ve worked on, in the past. A portfolio is a collection of work samples that showcase a company’s skills, creativity, and past projects. It gives potential clients a glimpse into the company’s style, approach, and capabilities, helping them decide if it’s a good fit for their needs.

    When hiring a website design company, asking for a portfolio is important as it allows you to review their previous work, assess their expertise, and get a sense of what they might be able to create for you. A strong portfolio should include a variety of projects that demonstrate the company’s versatility and adaptability.

    Therefore, make sure you always ask for the company’s portfolio to decide if they are a good fit for your project. It’s an important tool that can help you make an informed decision and ensure that you’re investing in a company that can deliver the results you’re looking for.

    2. Do you offer SEO services?

    Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is important for any website’s success. It involves optimizing your website so that it ranks higher in search engine results, making it more visible to potential visitors. A well-optimized website can significantly increase traffic, leading to more conversions and business growth.

    It’s not enough to have a beautifully designed website if your target audience can’t find it, you won’t see the desired results. SEO is a long-term strategy that requires expertise and continuous effort. It’s not a one-time task but an ongoing process that keeps your website relevant and competitive.

    So, when hiring a website design company, you have to ask and understand if they provide SEO optimization while building the website. It will ensure that your website isn’t just aesthetically pleasing but also optimized for search engines, enhancing your online presence and business success.

    3. Are your web designs mobile-friendly?

    With the increasing number of people accessing the internet via smartphones and tablets, having a mobile-friendly website is crucial for reaching a wider audience.

    Mobile-friendly design, also known as responsive design, ensures that your website looks and functions well on all devices, regardless of their screen size. It improves user experience and site load times and helps in boosting your website’s ranking in search engine results.

    Therefore, when you’re hiring a website design company, it’s essential to ask if their web designs are mobile-friendly. This will ensure that your website is accessible and user-friendly for all visitors, regardless of the device they’re using, ultimately leading to better engagement and higher conversion rates.

    4. How do they staff individual projects?

    Building a successful website takes a skilled project manager, a professional team, and concrete objectives. A proper team consists of information architects to plan the site, web designers to design the user interface, web developers to code the site, quality assurance engineers to test it, and online marketing specialists to develop and implement an efficient online marketing strategy. This team should work under an experienced project manager to ensure a successful outcome.

    • How many team members will be working on your project?

    • Who takes accountability for your project?

    • How often will they send you updates and what is the communication process?

    • Are they proactive in leading a project or do they count on you, the client, to direct them?

    5. Do you work in-house or outsource your projects?

    In-house development means that the company has a dedicated team of professionals who will be directly working on your project. This often leads to better communication, faster turnaround times, and a more cohesive end product as the team is familiar with each other’s work styles and expectations.

    On the other hand, outsourcing could mean that parts of your project are handled by third-party vendors or freelancers. While this can sometimes be cost-effective, it may also lead to communication gaps and inconsistencies in the final product.

    The importance of this question lies in the transparency it brings to the table. Knowing whether a company works in-house or outsources its projects can help you gauge the level of control, communication, and quality you can expect from them. It’s an essential factor to consider before making your decision.

    Build a Website that is Your Lead Captivator
    Our Website Design Company is the perfect place to create a website that is engaging, captivating, and profit-generating.

    6. Will you integrate my marketing strategies?

    Marketing strategies are the backbone of any business, driving customer engagement and ultimately, sales. They could range from SEO, content marketing, social media marketing, and email marketing, to PPC advertising, and more.

    When a website design company integrates your marketing strategies, it means they’re not just creating a visually appealing site, but a platform that aligns with your business goals and marketing objectives. This integration can improve the user experience, improve site visibility, and increase conversion rates.

    The importance of this question cannot be overemphasised. It ensures that your website will not just be a digital brochure, but a powerful marketing tool that works seamlessly with your overall business strategy. It’s an important consideration before you decide to hire a website design company.

    7. Do you build fully custom websites or use templates?

    It’s necessary to understand if the design company is building your website from scratch or using templates. Not only does this affect the pricing of the project, there are multiple factors that can be influenced depending on which options they choose to build your website.

    A fully custom website is built from scratch and is tailored to your specific needs and preferences. It offers unique design, flexibility, and scalability, but it requires more time and resources.

    On the other hand, a template-based website uses pre-designed layouts. It’s quicker and more cost-effective to set up, but it may not offer the same level of uniqueness and flexibility as a custom website.

    The importance of this question lies in aligning the company’s capabilities with your expectations. Knowing whether a company builds fully custom websites or uses templates can help you understand the potential quality, uniqueness, and cost of your website. It’s a crucial factor to consider before making your decision.

    8. How many design revisions does the web developer allow?

    The number of design revisions a web developer allows can vary greatly depending on the company and the specific agreement in place. Some web developers may offer unlimited revisions, while others may limit the number of revisions to a specific number, such as two or three. If there are any more repetitions after the decided number, the company adds additional charges.

    This is typically outlined in the contract or agreement you sign with the web developer. It’s important to clarify this before starting a project to ensure your expectations align with what the web developer offers. Remember, frequent revisions could extend the timeline and potentially increase the cost of the project.

    Therefore, having a clear understanding of your needs and communicating them effectively can help minimize the need for numerous revisions.

    9. What is the process for testing our site before and after it goes live?

    This question is essential when hiring a website design company. It’s about understanding the company’s approach to ensuring the quality and functionality of your website.

    Before a website goes live, it should undergo a series of rigorous tests. These tests include functionality testing, compatibility testing, performance testing, and security testing. Each test is designed to ensure that every aspect of your website, from its features and user interface to its load time and security, works flawlessly.

    After the website goes live, ongoing testing is crucial to maintain its performance and security. This could involve regular checks for broken links, load speed testing, 404 errors, and security audits. It’s also important to monitor website analytics for user behavior that could indicate a problem or an area for improvement.

    The importance of this question lies in ensuring the reliability and integrity of your website. A company with a comprehensive testing process is likely to deliver a website that provides a smooth and secure user experience. It’s a critical consideration before you decide to hire a website design company.

    10. Will you provide ongoing security and maintenance?

    When it comes to the digital world, security, and maintenance are two critical aspects that cannot be overlooked. A website is not a one-time project but a continuous process that requires regular updates and checks to ensure optimal performance.

    With the increasing number of cyber threats, ensuring your website is secure from hackers and other malicious activities is one of the most important aspects. Regular security checks and updates can help protect your website from potential threats and breaches.

    Similarly, ongoing maintenance is crucial for the smooth operation of your website. Regular updates, bug fixes, and performance optimization are all part of website maintenance. It ensures your website remains functional, user-friendly, and up-to-date with the latest web standards and technologies.

    So, when you're hiring a website design company, asking about their provisions for ongoing security and maintenance is essential. It gives you an insight into how they plan to keep your website secure and running efficiently in the long run. Remember, a well-maintained and secure website not only provides a better user experience but also helps in improving your website's ranking on search engines.


    24
    Share
    Hire Offshore Web Developers
    Hire Offshore Web Developers
    With our simplified hiring process and a 14-day free trial, you can hire expert developers who will bring success to your next idea.
    Hire now

    Related articles

    This website uses cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy.