September 29, 2015

How to Pick a Good Web Design Company

If you’re in the market for a website, choosing a solid and reputable web design company is one of the most important steps that you can take towards ensuring that you end up with a high-quality website.

If you’re in the market for a website, choosing a solid and reputable web design company is one of the most important steps that you can take towards ensuring that you end up with a high-quality website. When it comes to choosing a web designer, you want to ensure that you choose someone who understands the basics of web design –and more complex areas as well. You’ll want someone that not only understands how to make a great website, but someone that’s experienced making websites specifically for municipalities. You’ll want to find a designer who can work with you to create a design that’s easy to use and functional –as well as attractive. To help you choose a web design company that’s right for your town website, here are a few things that you should check into.

See If They Specialize

Does the web design company specialize in creating websites for municipalities? Do they offer the specific type of design that you are looking for? If the web design company has never built a website for a municipality before, it might be difficult for them to understand what it takes to create a functioning municipality website.

Check Out Their Work

The best way to decide if the quality and design is up to standard is to check out the work that they’ve done for their previous clients. Check out the other sites that they’ve designed and see if the quality and design is something that will work for you. Make sure that there’s substance as well as style –be sure to go through the website and make sure everything’s working.

Make Sure They’re Available

What is the turnaround time for a website like the one you’re looking for? Is it something that will be able to be completed in a reasonable amount of time –or is the web design company overloaded and overbooked? An overbooked company can be a good sign –meaning that there’s demand for that company’s work. However it could also mean that the company won’t be able to complete your website on in a timely manner.

See How Experienced and Knowledgeable They Are

While the age of a company doesn’t always matter, if the company’s been in business for a while, it can be a good sign. An experienced company is sign that the company knows what they’re doing. Asking the company about usability is a great way to determine how experienced and knowledgeable the company is, and determine how well they understand the importance of designing a website that’s easy to use.

Consider Cost Vs. Value

The phrase “You get what you pay for” rings especially true when it comes to website design. If you skimp now, you might not be completely happy with your website when it is finished. Consider cost carefully –but don’t cut corners just to save a few dollars up front.

Consider Their Approach

It’s important to choose a company that’s reputable, one that doesn’t make promises that they can’t keep. For example, many web design companies guarantee that they’ll be able to get the company to the first page of Google –but actually, search engine rankings aren’t something that web designers can guarantee. They can help to improve a company’s rankings, but a company’s search engine ranking is a long-term process that’s a combination of a number of different factors. Look for a company that can provide you with solid information, and be wary of companies that make lofty promises that they can’t keep.

Make Sure You Understand the Process

If you have questions –the design company should be able to explain how it works. A reputable company will be more than happy to answer any questions that you have. Remember, having your website designed and built is just the beginning. There are the additional tweaks that will need to be made down the road. Make sure the designer that you hire is someone you will want to deal with in the future –and not just someone you can’t wait to be done with. Your design company will play an important role in your website, not just for today –but for hopefully, for years to come.For more information on a website for your municipality, contact Town Web Design. We have extensive experience providing responsive web design and website management to small and medium-sized municipalities and would love to answer any questions that you have.Image: Laia Ros