If you’re looking for a web design agency, it can be hard to know where to start.
There are many different types of agencies out there, and each one is going to have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. It’s important that you take the time before hiring an agency to find out what they offer, what type of clients they work with, etc. Read on to see our 12 important aspects to consider when choosing a web design company…
A web design agency is something of a one-stop shop.
This is where you can find the experts you need to achieve a great design for your website.
The agency will include professionals across a range of competencies, eliminating the cost and hassle of having to handle the whole project in-house. You will receive a high-quality website design — in most cases, of a far better quality than you would be able to achieve yourself — while also freeing up personnel and resources that you can focus on other areas of your business.
At least, this is the case in theory…
Not all web designing agencies will be able to provide you with the same great results. So, how do you make sure you are connecting with great-quality web design?
There are a number of different criteria you need to consider to help you find the right agency for you.
Read on to learn more about what to look out for.
With the right approach, you’ll be able to ensure you are working with the best agency for your needs. Take a look at our list of 12 things to consider as you make your choice.
They listen to your ideas
The right web design agency will be communicative at every stage. Remember, this is your website, not theirs, and the right group of professionals will recognise this. When you discuss your project with a team of web designers, they need to be open to listening to what you’ve got to say. They also need to be willing and able to put these ideas into practice.
They have their own ideas
You don’t pay for web design services with the expectation that you will have to do everything yourself. Communication should be a two-way street, and the web design agency needs to have plenty of ideas of their own — delivered to you across an open dialogue. They should also be able to apply their own expertise to your ideas and mould these ideas into a great design; this is crucial in delivering a successful end-to-end web design and development project.
They have marketing know-how
Marketing is a crucial aspect of web design. Yes, you need a great-looking website. But you also need a website that’s going to attract the attention of your customers and help you grow your business in the right way. Make sure you work with a team who can apply this marketing expertise, and who can draw upon a fully fledged marketing department in the process.
They design with your CMS (Content Management System) in mind
The design of your website is not static — it should be able to grow with your business as it scales. In other words, your web design agency needs to be able to put the power in your hands after the design is complete, enabling you to craft and launch new content and pages without having to seek a whole new design on the way. This means the design needs to be compatible with your existing CMS platform (for example WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magenta) so that future content launches and site growth are easy to achieve. Find out more about choosing the right CMS platform for you and your business.
They know responsive design
The modern online landscape is a diverse one, with lots of different devices and browsers competing for attention in the market. As a result, you need a web design that is going to be accessible no matter where your customers are and how they are accessing your site. This design needs to respond to these changes and provide an incredible experience to all of your users.
They have a portfolio of live websites
Make sure you can quickly and easily assess the quality of the design agency’s work, and check out their track record. All good web design agencies will have an accessible portfolio of websites they have worked on — websites that are still live online. Take your time as you browse these websites, and learn more about what the agency can do for you.
They have longevity
With this track record comes longevity. How long has the agency been operating for? What is their experience in the market? How have they changed their approach over time to match the shifting demands of the online landscape? Asking these questions can help you make sure that you are working with an agency that really knows how to provide a great service.
Their designers know conversion
We’ve already touched on marketing above, but there is also the internal conversion factor to consider. The web page design needs to be geared towards conversions, providing customers with immediate engagement and then directing them towards the products and services they want to engage with. This is a crucial part of the web design process and something that will help you achieve swift returns on your investment.
They have experience in more than one industry
The best web design agencies will be versatile and flexible. They will be able to achieve great results for websites across various fields and industries. Make sure that the agency’s portfolio reflects this.
They’ve worked at both the local and national levels
You don’t want to limit the potential of your website or your business. You need a page that is going to perform well among your local customers and expand your reach into other areas of the market across the country. Again, you can find out whether your agency is able to achieve this by looking at their portfolio and by reaching out and asking questions to them directly.
They keep up with modern design trends
Web design is an evolving field, constantly changing and developing. What was true two years ago, or even six months ago, might not still be true today. Don’t work with an agency that is living in the past. Instead, consult with your design agency candidate. Find out more about how they are staying on top of changes in the industry and how they are implementing these changes within their own range of design techniques and best practices.
They’re not dirt cheap
Of course, your budget is always on your mind, and the funds you have at your disposal will always influence a decision like this one. However, you also need to consider your ROI. Paying a bit more for your website design services will provide you with a design that encourages conversions, integrates with your marketing strategies and saves your team time, effort and money in different ways. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is not always true — and you can find great design services at a reasonable price. But you should still consider this if you encounter a truly dirt cheap design agency. Unfortunately, it’s likely to be dirt cheap for a reason.
Finding the right web design agency for you and your business
These are just a few of the considerations you need to make before you choose your design agency. We’ve included them here because we feel they are the most important. We also want to give you a solid base of understanding that you can use to avoid selecting the wrong candidate.
What’s the most important thing you look for when working with business partners?
To learn more about how great-quality web design can boost your business, and to find out how our website design services can integrate with your own company identity and marketing strategy, reach out to our team today.
