Best Web Design Companies
Who are the best web design companies? Who should you hire and how will you be sure you made the right choice?
We (WhyteSpyder) are obviously going to be biased on this topic, but, whether or not you hire us to handle your web design and digital marketing needs, there are some key points that you should consider when hiring a web design company. It really doesn’t matter if you are starting a new site or revamping an existing site, the same rules apply and paying attention to these basics will help you make a smarter business decision.
Budget
Yes, you need to have a budget in mind. Many clients think that stating a budget is a way for design firms to get as much revenue as possible for the job. In some cases, this may be true. However, the best web design firms will be able to provide a more accurate proposal and possibly more benefits when they know your budget. Simply not knowing or mentioning your budget is much more risky on your part as it will increase the chances for your project to go over budget and could also delay production. You should set two budgets, one that is conservative and one that is your maximum allowance. A good web design firm will share your goal for the conservative budget.
Service
Honestly, it’s not as much about all the super-technical skills, programming abilities and wonderful design abilities. Those things matter, but, what matters most is your service. Just as the name implies, and like any other service oriented business, service is critical. From initial meetings, planning, project management, delivery, maintenance and deadlines, service is the cornerstone of the entire web design process. Don’t be fooled by high tech, fast-talking snobs that tell you everything he or she knows (I’ve met many of these people before and service is the last thing in their mind). Bottom line, this is business, and you need a digital firm that listens, researches, plans, communicates and supports you and your business. And finally, service is not something that just your account executive needs to practice, it has to be threaded throughout the entire company in every action.
Experience
Just like service mentioned above, experience in web design has a lot to do with the key leaders of the company. Executives should not all be programmers and software masters, but rather, they should be a mixture of professional leaders with experiences in the web design industry, marketing and business. 50 percent of web design is creative and programming. The other 50 percent is account servicing, marketing planning, agreements, business, accounting, etc (typical business stuff). You should inquire about the key players in the design firm and have a basic understanding of the company’s mission.
Pricing
Web design pricing involves more than just the final dollar amount of the project. It also involves how the company bills for a project and the willingness to work with your needs. Is the company charging per hour, a flat-rate fee, a profit sharing model or a combination of any of these? There is really no right or wrong way, but depending on the scope of work, each model has its positives and negatives. Your web design firm should be willing to discuss different options, find creative solutions with you and have the underlying ambition to partner with you for success. That being said, beware of web designers that make unbelievable deals! Also, you should avoid using family and extended family for your web design needs. I’ve honestly never seen great things come to fruition with these type of deals and, in the end, you get what you pay for.
And yes, here’s our sales pitch: Contact WhyteSpyder today for your free consultation. We follow all the advice we give and we’ll be sure to give you better service than our competitors. We are not successful unless you are successful – and we want success!
