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What To Look For in A Web Design Company
There are a million+ companies that now offer web design services. Most offer basically the same services - a
domain name (i.e., www.yourcompany.com), a certain number of pages, some e-mail addresses, maybe META
tag programming and search engine submission. In reality, if you work with most any reputable company,
you'll end up with a pretty good basic website.
If you want your site to stand out and reflect the personality and mission of your company, however, it's
important to delve a little deeper into the design brainstorming processes and up-front client research that the
design company uses. Ideally, you want to find a company that:
A web design company that meets this criteria, isn't just looking to make money from you! Instead, they are
focused on making sure the site they design meets the short- and long-term needs of your business AND
making sure the design reinforces your overall company or product image and brand. Your current and
potential customers should be able to seamlessly move between your "brick and mortar" storefront (if you have
one) and your online home. If they can't, your company's image is not getting the attention it deserves!
domain name (i.e., www.yourcompany.com), a certain number of pages, some e-mail addresses, maybe META
tag programming and search engine submission. In reality, if you work with most any reputable company,
you'll end up with a pretty good basic website.
If you want your site to stand out and reflect the personality and mission of your company, however, it's
important to delve a little deeper into the design brainstorming processes and up-front client research that the
design company uses. Ideally, you want to find a company that:
- Does not use "templates" (already designed basic layouts that they simply plug your company's
information into). - Plans to spend time talking to you upfront - not only about your web-site wishes - but about your
company as a whole. They should find out about your dreams, ambitions, and plans for your company.
This background information is needed to design a site that works long-term for a company. - Seems genuinely interested in knowing why your business is special and designing a site that reflects
those unique qualities. - Includes several convenient, customized methods for customers to contact you as part of standard
design fees. - Allows you to include photos, images, and graphs that are important to your concept or brand image.
- Does not require you to prepay more than 50% of the total design cost.
- Offers some sort of reasonably priced plan for future updates and changes.
- Offers advice or information about marketing your site to your target audience (whether your target
audience is worldwide or local).
A web design company that meets this criteria, isn't just looking to make money from you! Instead, they are
focused on making sure the site they design meets the short- and long-term needs of your business AND
making sure the design reinforces your overall company or product image and brand. Your current and
potential customers should be able to seamlessly move between your "brick and mortar" storefront (if you have
one) and your online home. If they can't, your company's image is not getting the attention it deserves!