Steve Jobs once said that design is not just what it looks like and feels like – it is how it works. This is especially true for a website’s design. A website that looks pretty but doesn’t function well won’t help you achieve your business goals.
Designing your website is a critical task that can make or break your business. A lot of time, effort, and expertise should be spent creating an attractive and functional website. One best options for businesses is to hire a professional web design agency.
Hiring an experienced web design agency can help you get the desired results without doing all the work yourself. In fact, according to Deloitte’s research, outsourcing can improve a company’s core competency by up to 57% and reduce company costs by 59%. This is particularly helpful for small and starting businesses.
So how do you find and hire a professional web design agency? We’ve listed some of the best practices below.
How To Find And Hire The Best Web Design Agency
Assess the agencies’ past work.
An optimal way to determine a web design agency’s quality is by looking at past work. If a company has a portfolio of websites similar to yours, it would be easier for them to understand your needs and deliver the desired results.
Check for the agency’s core services and specializations to analyze if they fit the work. Then, Complimentarily, you can assess their past work and experience. Both approaches can help determine if your business goals align with theirs.
Reviewing the agency’s testimonials, credentials and certifications is also a good way to evaluate the quality of work the agency provides. If possible, visit their website or social media accounts and read some social proofs of their best works. This way, you can better understand the agency and its culture.
Ensure that the agency offers specialized services.
When choosing a web design agency, ensure that they offer specialized services. In other words, you should look for an agency that offers the specific website development services that your business needs.
For example, if you want to start an eCommerce business, finding an agency specializing in creating progressive and responsive websites is crucial. You should also look for an agency that offers maintenance and support. This way, you can be certain that your website will always be in good hands.
An assessment platform like Eklavvya can help your business find the right agency for you. The platform assesses various factors, including technical knowledge and aptitude tests.
Have a budget in mind.
Before choosing a web design agency, you should have a budget in mind. This will help you hobble your choices and choose the best fit for your business. If you are looking for a full-service agency that can handle all aspects of web design, it is important to consider how much money you want to spend and what kind of ROI (Return on Investment) you expect from the investment.
Some web design agencies offer to pay monthly websites, which can be a good option for those with a limited budget. Of course, you will have to pay for the service monthly, but it is often cheaper than the full price upfront.
Ask For Referrals And Recommendations
If you are unsure which agency to hire, ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations. You can also search for local web design agencies on social media sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn, where existing clients often provide reviews of their experience working with a particular company.
Request a quote from at least three different companies to compare.
Once you have a list of agencies that meet your requirements, request quotes from them. This will allow you to compare prices and services. You should also compare each agency for the availability of any special features such as e-commerce or blogging platforms.
Determine your goals and create a list of features you need.
It is essential to determine your goals as it is important to decide the type of website that you need. In other words, you should create a list of features that your website should include to help achieve these goals.
To increase traffic, sales, and conversions, you may want to look for an agency with expertise in creating SEO-friendly websites. Alternatively, suppose your business needs a website that helps build brand awareness and attract new customers. In that case, you may want to find an agency specializing in content-rich websites.
Get a timeline of the project so you know what to expect.
An excellent web design agency must provide a detailed project timeline, including when specific tasks will be completed. This will help ensure that you are prepared for any changes or delays in the process. Many factors can influence the time it takes to complete a website, such as how much content is required and how often you need updates.
You should also expect regular updates from the agency on the progress of your project. This will guarantee that you are always informed of what is happening and can provide feedback where necessary.
Takeaways
Finding the best website design agency for your business is crucial to growing your business. Thorough prospecting and research are needed to find a company that can help you achieve your goals while staying within your budget. The right agency will be able to help you create a website that perfectly represents your brand while meeting your company’s expectations.
When choosing a professional web design agency, consider the following:
- The agencies’ past work, awards, and experiences.
- Your company’s budget
- Specialized services offered
- Referrals and recommendations
- Comparative quote from each agency
- Your goals for your website
- Project Timeline
These tips above should help you narrow your agency search and find the right web design firm for your business. Once you have a shortlist of agencies, it’s time to determine which one is the best fit for your project.