How to Choose the Perfect Web Designer Pt 3

#7 – Get Some References

It's well worth taking the time to find out that the promises your web designer makes marry with their delivery.  To that end contacting a couple of their customers is usually a good idea. 

When you speak to the clients it's worth asking a few questions relating to the company's performance and abilities.  Here are a few to get you started.

1. Was the website completed to your satisfaction?
2. Was it completed within the agreed timescales and budget?
3. What did you like/dislike about their performance?
4. Were they prepared to go the extra mile?
5. Would you use them again the next time you redevelop your website?
6. Has your website been as successful as you wanted it to be?

#8 – Does the Web Design Company Have a Clear Process for Delivery?

Producing a highly polished, perfectly functioning and successful representation of your business on time and to budget is not without its complexities.  There are probably over 100 factors to consider during your project's life cycle.  Here a just a few…

Buying and re-pointing domain names, search engine optimisation considerations, accessibility, usability analysis, user interfaces, navigation, copy, graphical style, coding to web standards, securing the code from hackers, marketing considerations, back-end technology choices, and that’s before we even begin accounting for your specific requirements!

With so much complexity embedded in your web project it is important that your supplier has a strong sense of organisation and planning.  (You may even want to see evidence of a project plan or checklist to ensure all the bases are covered.)

This is particularly important because you don't want to find yourself having to pay for aspects of the development which you thought were included.

#9 – What Are the Post-Project On-Costs?

It's unlikely you will be caught out with any ongoing charges save perhaps that of hosting.  However, it is worth knowing what the company's hourly rate is in case the site needs maintenance updates. 

You may also want to find out how much they charge for additional services such as, search engine optimisation.

Now, there’s one huge elephant sitting in the corner of this report that I have steadfastly ignored and if you sign up to my Internet Growth Programme I'll tell you what it is and why it could change, and shape, the course of your business.