Ask any experienced business owner how their website was developed and you'll likely get an angry look or a "Which version?"
Embarking on your first website project without due diligence in selecting a web development company can be a frustrating proposition. And it's one that can have lasting effects.
Throughout my career in web development, I've seen (or heard) the good, the bad, and the ugly. I can definitely tell you that the value of an experienced consultant cannot be underestimated. Googling "web design" may only yield one.
Following are the five most important determining factors to consider while choosing a web development company.
Determine what type of website you need.
This may sound like a given, but not all websites are the same.
Google is a website. But it is powered by a multi-billion dollar infrastructure with multiple data centers around the world. Facebook and Amazon? the same
While those may be extreme examples, it's important to distinguish the differences between a website and its functionality, meaning what the website needs to do for your visitors and your business.
Are you going to sell widgets? Well, you will need an e-commerce website and it is unlikely that your friend's cousin will be suitable for the project.
E-commerce brings several logistical and technical challenges. The company you hire should have experience working in this space and have an e-commerce solution that will scale as your business grows — and provide support for the inevitable hiccups that occur along the way.
For many small businesses offering professional services, the main purpose of a website is to build trust, educate, inform and convert visitors into leads. While there are hundreds of web development companies that can easily accomplish this task, there are several variables to consider depending on the type of content management system and where the site will be hosted. These issues can have a significant impact on the day-to-day management of the website and down the road, when the site is not redesigned.
Determine your compatibility.
When you hire a web development company, you hire a technology partner. This partner will likely be part of your business for many years, if you are happy with their service. And rub it.
Spending a little extra time up front can save your business a lot of money and more importantly, a lot of time. Moving a website from one provider to another can be expensive and time-consuming.
Know who you're hiring for this long-term relationship. While the quality and effectiveness of their work is certainly a consideration, find out what they value, how they operate and how they treat their employees.
And while credibility and trust are also important traits, if you like them, that's great too.
Determine the level of support you need.
Support comes in many forms, such as helping to set up email or helping someone reset a password. With website support, you will likely need to make changes to your site on a regular basis. It's not uncommon to realize that a feature or component was left out without consideration prior to launch. And more importantly, a website is not static, nor should it be static.
A good development company is going to provide you with the tools to add updated content, add new pages and articles, and make minor updates. For new features, you'll likely need to rely on your technology partner. Most web development companies offer some level of ongoing support, but it's always a good idea to find out what level, turnaround time, and which members of staff will be doing this type of work.
Pay attention to details.
Recently, someone in my network announced the launch of their new website. I can tell from their posts that they are excited and proud of their new online presence. However, the post contained a link to the new site. But it displayed nothing but the logo from the home page and the title, "Home." Epic failed.
Here's an opportunity to shine on social media. But because their web developers either didn't take the time or perhaps didn't understand how social media channels work, the opportunity was lost. More importantly, lack of proper titles and descriptions can hurt their search engine rankings.
It's small details like this that can help make or break a brand's digital identity over time. A good web development company has experience and understands the importance of social media and how search engines display information from a website. They work with your company to make sure these bases are covered so you always put your best face forward.
And it shows attention to detail. This is a company that makes sure everything is checked, then checked twice.
Factor in all costs.
Website design and development prices range from free, fixed to hourly. Heck, some companies even set prices based on the type of work a person does.
Beyond the initial design and development costs, there are ongoing charges and fees that should be understood before signing the contract.
Hosting
Almost every web development company charges something to host a website, but even that can vary widely. While it may be tempting, this is one area where you don't want to get chintzy. In most cases, you get what you pay for, and that means site uptime — you want your site to be available all the time, not just some of the time. Don't skimp here.
Ongoing support
Again, this is an area where prices are across the board. Some companies include a certain level of support in their hosting plans, while others charge time and materials for any changes. It is important to understand that you will make changes to your website and there may be a cost. It's best to understand and plan for those costs up front.
There is no silver bullet or definitive guide to web development and every company works with different business models. But with a little homework and a trusted guide, you can cut the cost of building (and rebuilding) your website quite a bit.
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