Website Quotations Scotland
Choosing a Web Designer
The web design business is an amateur's paradise. Start-up costs are very low, obsolete software is given away by magazines and anyone can call themselves a web designer. Furthermore, there is a perception that 'anyone can do it' and that it is just a question of learning to use a new programme. The results are out there for all to see - ugly, poorly designed and hard to navigate sites that break in some browsers, that do not get any visitors and that do not show up in Google. You are doing your business no favours if you employ an amateur.
The other option is to do it yourself. Web design is not your business however. Did you build your own computers? Do you deliver your own mail? No, of course you don't - so why tie up valuable resources and time designing and publishing your own web site only to be disappointed with the result. Your time is more valuable than that.
So - you have decided to use a professsional website design company. There are thousands, so how do you choose? Here are some questions to ask:
How long have they been around?
Businesses that have been around for five years or more will have seen a lot of changes in the way the web works and have obviously adapted successfully. New businesses may not still be around when you need some changes made to your site. Your site could vanish, and you could lose control of your domain.
Have a look at their portfolio.
Look for at least fifty websites - if they only have a handful then they are probably just playing at it. Do you like the sites? Do they work? Try some Google queries - do the sites show up for sensible search terms? Are the sites easy to use? Good navigationis essential - do you always know exactly where you are on the site, can you find the information you want?
Are they interested in your business?
When you ask them for a quotation do they give you a generic flat-rate quote or try to sell you things you don't want, or do they talk with you at length to find out more about your business, how it works and what you hope to get from the website? Do they baffle you with jargon or explain things in easy to understand terms?
Check the small print
Are there extra set-up fees? If there are staged payments what do you get at every stage? What sort of hosting do they offer? Will your site be able to expand with the business? How will it be updated? Are there any ongoing charges? Most importantly, make sure that you will own the copyright to all the material on the site including design and layout. We sugggest that you ask your web designer for a copy of all the files once the site is live and paid for.
What sort of support can you expect?
We hear stories of 'unavailable' web design companies all the time. Make sure you have a phone number, not just an email address - and make sure it is not a premium rate number. Ask them what the turnaround time for an email reply is, anad how long it will take to make a simple text change to the site. Remember, in many cases the same company will be looking after yoru business email account - you need to be sure they are there when you need them.
Look for testimonials
The best recommendation a web design business can have is a testimonial from a happy customer. Have a look on their website - are there any testimonials? If not, why not ask them for a couple of references?
choosing a web designer
getting visitors to your site
search engine optimisation
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