An overwhelming majority (over 81%) of consumers now conduct internet research before making a purchase. If you want success, you need to move your company online and give it a professional look. If you run a one-person show or a small company, you get to pick the team that builds, manages, and updates your website. How do you decide which of the many possible approaches to developing your site is best for you and your company?
There are lots of inexpensive website options out there, but you really do get what you pay for. While a free or low-cost design may seem like a good starting point, it’s usually worth paying for some professional guidance if you want to make the most of your online efforts. It’s important to keep in mind that a well-designed website can attract consumers, while a poorly executed one can turn them away. Here are some tried-and-true pointers to help you zero in on the best specialist.
Inquire Amongst Your Peers
Do you know anyone who has a highly-visible, result-generating website? If that’s the case, you can approach them for recommendations. Nothing speeds up the process of hiring a web designer more than getting suggestions from two or three reliable sources.
Watch the Shows
There is no shortage of brilliant presenters at professional conferences. Learn more about the web planning process by sitting in on a few talks delivered by industry professionals. If the talk or talks really hit home, you may be able to strike up a conversation with the speaker or speakers individually.
Define Success Clearly
To what end do you hope your company’s website will contribute? What are you hoping to accomplish with this particular facet of your broader marketing strategy? Before diving too deeply into website development, it’s essential to have a firm grasp of the business goals that will be served by the site. There is no such thing as a “one size suits all” solution, and have a crystal-clear idea of what you want to accomplish, how much money you have available, and what you hope to achieve is essential. You can save yourself time, energy, and money in the long run by investing in some website advice upfront if you aren’t certain about everything.
Figure Out What You Really Want
Preemptive preparation can pay off in the long run. What specific kinds of help do you require? Is emblem creation on your list of priorities? Do you want a designer to make your website appear good? Do you need a site developer who can write the code and get everything running? Do you need an expert to advise you on Internet marketing strategies for your company?
It’s okay if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these inquiries. To make a good recruit, you don’t have to be an expert in the field. Keep in mind that a single individual who excels at all of these tasks is extremely uncommon. It is more common to need help from a group of individuals. If you’d rather have someone else handle all the planning and organization, look for someone with access to their own staff of specialists. Then it’s the best of both environments for you!
To Inquire
Ask for a quick phone interview before making a hiring decision. Almost any professional will agree to a quick chat to find out more about your circumstances and how she can assist. Feel free to address any questions that have been bothering you during our time together. Keep in mind that you’re testing each other’s dialogue and knowledge skills. The following are some issues to ponder:
Can you tell me how long you’ve been making web pages?
Do you have access to any in-house designers, SEO specialists, etc.?
Please show me some samples of your recent work for other companies.
What makes you and the services you provide stand out? How do you differentiate yourself from others in your field?
Do you follow a systematic procedure and a website design guide?
Talk Plan Your Spending For The Present And The Future
It’s unusual for someone to provide a precise quote on the spot. When I’m asked, “How much does a website cost? ” To use an analogy, I inform them it’s like going to a real estate agent and asking, “How much is a house?” Whether it’s a large or tiny home, located on the beach or in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac, brand new or in need of some TLC, etc.
However, it is imperative that you discuss finances with your online guru. If there is no thought put into the design of the bells and sirens being offered, and if they are out of your price range, it doesn’t matter how many there are. In the first meeting, inquire about price ranges for comparable projects. Then, be as specific as you can so that an exact cost and scope of work can be determined for your job.
Depending on experience and geographic area, hourly rates currently range from $60 to $150. It’s not uncommon to spend $1000–$1500 on a simple, high-quality website with 6–8 pages. Expect greater prices if you want more advanced features (videos, audio, etc.), more pages, expert copywriting, or more advanced content (blogs, newsletters, shopping carts, etc.).
Inquire about the billing procedure so you can set aside money in the appropriate manner. Inquire about their procedure for handling change orders to get a sense of the potential range of the project’s price.
Talk about Regular Upkeep
Discuss your long-term plans for the site with the artist. A website that is never changed is the online equivalent of wearing a dated outfit. It’s not vintage; it just shows how uninterested you are in running a successful company. When it comes to keeping a website current, you have a lot of leeways. You can hire a third party to take care of changes in the future. A website can be designed on a content management system (CMS) or set up to function with software like Adobe Contribute if you prefer to handle it on your own. It’s important to have an honest conversation with your creator early on about your goals. It will serve as valuable input into the site’s budget, design, and development phases.
Determine If They Are a Good Match
Keep in mind that you’ll be communicating directly with this individual, so make sure you click. This individual should be able to communicate with you effectively and show genuine concern for your happiness and the success of your company. Consider asking yourself the following:
Am I enjoying my conversations with this person?
Do they interrogate me and my company extensively?
Is there a chance they’d respond to inquiries?
Do they make an effort to speak plainly to me (reduce the use of specialized jargon) when explaining things?
Do they return emails, schedule meetings, and show up for scheduled appointments?
In general, it’s wise to go with your gut. If you have any doubts about the person being the correct one for you, trust your instincts. Yes, your web designer needs to be a technical whiz, but if he or she can’t talk to you and get to know your company, you probably won’t be happy with the results.
Timing
Time is required for the development of a quality website. Do not anticipate immediate assistance. Good designers are in high demand, so be prepared to wait at least a few weeks before your job can begin once you hire one. Do you know how it is that the finest restaurants are usually the ones with the longest wait times? For web programmers, the same is true.
To avoid confusion about expected outcomes, payment schedules, and other logistics, it’s important to lay out a detailed plan for the job before you get started. All parties engaged will share responsibility for meeting these requirements, which include providing certain information to the team and receiving certain information from the team. Website development can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, based on factors like availability and complexity.
Informed Citizenship
Most company owners don’t know to look into a variety of specifics when choosing a web designer. You should make sure the following matters are addressed in your operating agreement:
Make sure you are identified as the owner of the domain name if the designer registers it for you.
After we finish the job and you’ve paid in full, you’ll have complete ownership of the site and any images we’ve made for it (except stock photos for which you would have the right to use them, the original artist retains the copyright of the work). Any original artwork made specifically for your business (logos, etc.)
If you want to reuse the designer’s work in the future, make sure you get the initial vector-based art files.
Even if you have no intention of keeping the site updated yourself, it is still a good idea to collect a list of all logins and passwords for your own documents.
Your company cannot survive without your website. Investing time in interviews with prospective web designers is worth it to find the best one for your company’s needs. Developing a successful company website requires more than just knowing how to make a website page. Selecting the best individual or group for your needs can save you time, money, and frustration if you put in the time and effort upfront.
Working with small and solo business owners, Paula Gregorowicz of Paula G Web Design uses her signature down-to-earth and “plain English” approach to website design to demystify the web so that her clients can feel at ease in their own online skin and have their online presence be a genuine reflection of who they are and what they do. Do you want your website and digital advertising to actually be effective? Find a free website scheduler at:
Read also: The Best Way To Drive Traffic From Social Media Marketing To Your Website
