7 Tips on Choosing a Web Design Service for Small Businesses

7 Tips on Choosing a Web Design Service for Small Businesses

7 Tips on Choosing a Web Design Service for Small Businesses

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Did you know that a third of all small businesses don’t have a website? Are you in this group and need to get a new website before you fall behind your competition? If so, then you’re researching for a quality web design service. 

Don’t worry if you don’t know what to look for because you’re in the right place. Keep reading to learn our top seven tips for choosing the best website design service agency for your small business. 

1. Look at Your Overall Goals

Before you begin to explore different designers, take some time to do some introspection. What are your overall business goals and how will your new website help you accomplish those goals? Who is your target audience and how will your new design attract the right people to your business? 

The key to any good business relationship includes getting to know each other and ensuring that you work well together. Be sure to take the time to look at your goals and what you want to accomplish with your new website. Only then can you find the right fit and the right designer who understands you and what you want to accomplish. 

Additionally, some goals that every business should reach to achieve include creating a mobile-friendly website. Your audience is searching for you on their phones, and if they can’t load your website then you’ll lose their business. You need to make sure that your site is fast and responsive on all devices so you don’t lose future customers. 

2. What Services Do They Offer? 

Now that you know what you need, it’s time to assess which designers have the talent and skills to deliver on those needs. The best designer in your area might not have the skills or staff that you need to reach your business goals. That’s why it’s important to start with defining what you need and then finding the best talent to fill your specific needs. 

A custom web design goes much further than branding and adding a new logo. You need to know that whomever you hire can give you the level of customization that you need. As you evaluate each website designer ask the following questions: 

  • Do their skills align with your goals?
  • Determine if you need all their services or should you choose a la carte 
  • Which agencies fit in your budget? 

Again, you might not need the full-service agency that offers everything. If you know the specific tasks and updates that you need then you can tailor fit the right specialist and focus on what you need. Or, if you know you need help with everything from strategy to design and creation then you know that you need to look at agencies that have the talent levels you need. Luckily, finding a reliable custom web design company is not very hard if you do your research properly. 

3. Look at Your Budget

Every good business owner will take the time to ensure that they’re staying within their budget. While watching your bottom line might not be your favorite part of your web design project, you still need to keep your budget in mind. 

Your overall web design budget should include the consultation as well as any content creation you will need along the way. Not every designer gives transparent pricing, so don’t let yourself get swept up in looking for the lowest price only to find out it doesn’t include everything you need. 

4. Ask For Their Portfolio

Anyone who has been designing business websites for a while should have a robust portfolio you can peruse. Take the time to ask for and check out their portfolio of sites already designed. This will ensure that their style aligns with your business. 

Take a close look at each example so you can see if their design style aligns with your brand. Look at each website on both your phone and desktop computer because as we mentioned earlier you need to know that your future website is optimized for mobile. Click around and see if it’s easy to find your way around each website as this is what your future clients will need to do n your new website.  

5. Check References From Previous Clients

Looking at a portfolio is a great way to see how a designer creates a final masterpiece. However, there are several steps between design and creating. You need to know how your future designer works with their clients.

To do this, ask for references and testimonials from previous customers. Ask for contact information and then take the time to call and see how each client felt about working with that web designer. You will be working very closely with the designer you choose and you need to know that they will work well with you. 

Ask how the overall web design experience went with each previous client. Find out how they communicate, how responsive they are, and how well they listen to the needs, questions, and concerns of clients. These short conversations are imperative to ensure that you find the right fit for your website design experience. 

6. Ask about support after the project is complete

As you look to choose which agency you want to work with, remember that a good designer knows the project isn’t over when they deliver your new website. Instead, for many working relationships, sometimes the work has only begun. 

What level of support is offered after delivery? How much content creation do they offer over the long run or is this a service they offer? Is ongoing support an extra cost that will be billed later or is it factored into the original cost? 

These are all questions you need to ask before you choose the right company that fits your needs.  

7. Request the Proposal and Scope

Before you sign the bottom line, the last step you need to take is to see their drafted proposal and scope of the project. These documents will outline exactly what both parties can expect from your web design project. 

You don’t need to ask for minute details but you do need to know what you can expect when you work with each agency. Any project manager will tell you that scope creep is real and can ruin any long project. However, when both sides are fully aware of the expectations beforehand you can avoid any uncomfortable situations later on. 

Find the Best Web Design Service for Your Business

As you can see it can be daunting to choose the right web design service for your specific needs. And perhaps, that’s why you’ve put off creating your new website. But you can’t afford to not have an optimized website for your business. 

To get started, reach out and ask for a free quote today. You’ll be one step closer to your new website and building your business online. 

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