Originally posted on http://www.smallbusinessbrief.com/technology-software/what-do-i-look-for-in-a-web-design-agency/

 

When you want your business to thrive and grow, web design is one of the most important matters you will need to get a handle on.

If you don’t have a solid web presence, with a site that explains your brand, you are leaving lots of money and opportunity on the table. As such, one of the best things you can do is work with a company that has the skills you are looking for.

Read below to learn what you need to look for in an agency.

1. Make Sure That They Can Make Your Site Visually Impressive

Seeing is believing.

Make sure that your website looks great, and is interactive enough to keep people’s attention. Something as simple as choosing a visually impressive theme or color scheme can be the difference between a site that gets results and one that doesn’t.

When you reach out to a web design contractor, be sure that they place emphasis on the visual aspect of web design, so that yours begins on the right foot.

2. Look for Mobile Web Design

Very soon, close to 64 percent of people will access the web through a mobile device.

If your website isn’t web-friendly, it will be rendered obsolete before you know it. Choose a web design agency that places just as much attention on mobile design as they do designing sites for computer viewership.

This way, they can set you up with a mobile site or an app that really conveys your message in a way that is simple to navigate on any device.

3. Ask About Their Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Expertise

When you are trying to do what is right for your web design needs, you need to choose a company that also focused on search engine optimization (SEO).

This is a foundational part of your company’s marketing and will help you really get a lot of attention to your website.

The initial creation of the website is the very beginning. When you have access to a web designer that understands SEO, they can keep making improvements that optimize the site and get you high rankings with Google, Bing and any other engines.

4. Link up with a Web Designer That Knows Your Industry

Always research your web design company to make sure that they understand your industry.

This type of knowledge goes a long way because they will be more attuned to the specific strategies that can help you win. For instance, a web designer that is used to working with law firms or medical practice will understand the psychology, color schemes and design principles that potential clients gravitate toward.

They will also help you choose a layout that is best for the type of conversions that you are looking for.

5. Be Certain You Are Hiring the Right Type of Designer

Web design is a vast field, and the many different professionals within it often wear a lot of hats. Because of this, you should know what role you want them to play.

Perhaps you need a web designer that can build your site from scratch and update it on a regular basis so that it doesn’t become static. Another business might just need the company to get the site up and running so that they can fill out the template and personalize it on their own.

When you know what you need, you can become more earnest in your efforts to find the right company.

6. Find Someone That Is Affordable

Of course, you need to choose a web designer that is also affordable.

When you talk to them about the work that they are looking for, they will be able to let you know what kind of fee structure is most ideal. For instance, one company might charge by the hour for an ongoing project, while another might issue a flat fee for the totality of the service.

Ask around for different price estimates in order to be sure that you are getting a feel for what the market is currently charging for what you need. Start to take an honest look at what this service will cost so that you can create a budget that you are able to stick to.

7. Figure out Your End Game and What That Involves

Above all, you need to know your overarching goal. When you know exactly what you want to get out of your site, it informs the type of service you need and the company that you need to carry it out.

For instance, a company that needs help building a sales landing page that gets conversions will have different needs than a company that needs a mobile app that is interactive.

The more you know about your end game, the easier it will be to hire the right company.

8. Check Out Their Web Design Portfolio

Finally, don’t hire a web designer without first thoroughly looking through their portfolio.

Doing this will help you find out what kind of specialty they have, and will give you a clear indication of their strengths. Look through at least three different web design portfolios before choosing an agency.

Find the Best Designer

When you need the best web design that you can afford, you’ll need to take your time and find a quality agency. The tips above will help you out in that regard.

Follow these tips and start reaching out to some web design agencies that can assist you.