Hiring a web design firm can be difficult. Or, to be more accurate, hiring the right web design firm can be tougher than it looks.
We know, because we deal with businesses that are struggling to find the right fit all the time. Often, they are overwhelmed by the choices, and apparent similarity, between different creative teams. Since most business owners and executives aren’t experts on web design themselves, understanding what they’re getting for their money isn’t always simple or straightforward. And so, choosing a web design firm can feel like a daunting task.
If that dilemma sounds familiar, you need a bit of insider advice on hiring a web design firm. Luckily, we are here to help, with a few tips you can use to find the perfect creative partner for your business. Here is what you need to know…
Portfolios Can be Deceiving
Saving money is great, but even more important than the price of your website is the value you get in return.
When looking at different web design firms, the first (and easiest) thing to evaluate is portfolios. But while a collection of finished websites might be interesting, or even beautiful, it can also give you an incomplete picture of a studio’s work.
Web design portfolios can be deceiving because they don’t tell you how quickly a project is finished, what it cost, or what the original vision was. Furthermore looking at an image-driven portfolio will not give you insight on how the website was programmed and how easy it is to manage or make regular updates. Use them as a good first step, but not your only criteria for a hiring decision.
Value is Bigger Than Price
Given that a lot of web design firms will have resumés and portfolios that look similar, lots of business owners will choose based on pricing. As with using portfolios, there is some good logic to separating web design firms by fees, but it can be a little shortsighted.
Saving money is great, but even more important than the price of your website is the value you get in return. In other words, it’s better to have a moderately-priced website that earns your business money than it is to spend less on a cheap one without earning positive return.
How can that happen? We are glad you asked, because that brings us to our next point…
You Want More Than Web Design
It goes without saying that you’re hiring a web design firm because you want a website. But you should set your sights a little higher, and insist on getting top-notch business advice and Internet marketing guidance, as well.
No matter how great your website is, it’s going to need a bit of promotion (usually through search engines and social media) before new customers are going to find it. So, your investment in web design is going to be wasted if it isn’t backed up by the right marketing and support.
A Web Designer’s Working Style is as Important as Their Talent
Creative professionals sometimes get a bad name. And if we’re being honest, some of our colleagues have earned it.
A web design firm isn’t of much use to you if they produce beautiful pages but never answer your calls or hit deadlines. If they are difficult to work with, their talent or skill will become secondary to your frustration.
When evaluating different web design firms, look into past case studies and, if possible, speak to former clients. You want to find out what it’s like to work with the company, and whether you’ll be happy with your choice months down the road.
Finding the perfect web design firm for your project gets a lot easier once you know what to look for, and the pitfalls to avoid. So, take our insider advice to heart, and work with the creative team that’s going to give you a beautiful web presence and a business tool that will make a positive impact on your business.
If you want to be sure you get the very best in terms of design and bottom-line business results, call Creative State for a free consultation today!
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