Tips for Choosing a Web Agency
People do judge books by their covers. Will you do the same when determining how to choose a web agency?
In 1974, readers were traumatized by the horror of Peter Benchley’s Jaws. The book cover artist, Roger Kastel, brought the tension of the story right into the cover art. He presents an image of the shark lurking underneath an oblivious swimmer. shutterstock
image via Shortlist.com
Choosing a web designer for a small business
Choosing a good web designer is extremely important when doing your search. Here are some of the reasons why you should ask questions.
1. Understand why web design is important
- Credibility and Trust:
- Key Statistics:
- 75% of a website’s perceived credibility comes from its design (source: Statista research on digital marketing performance)1.
- A professional and modern design instills confidence in visitors, encouraging them to engage further.
- First Impressions:
- 94% of first impressions are design-driven.
- A clean, intuitive layout can immediately capture attention and set the tone for a positive user experience.
- Conversion Rates:
- A site with superior user experience can achieve visit-to-lead conversion rates up to 400% higher than poorly designed websites.
- Strong calls-to-action and optimized landing pages significantly boost sales and engagement.
- SEO Benefits:
- Good web design improves search engine rankings by enhancing metrics like loading speed, mobile responsiveness, and user engagement.
- Revenue Generation:
- Businesses with well-designed websites report increased revenue due to improved customer trust and streamlined purchasing processes.
If you plan to build a new website or redesign an existing one, you’ll probably want to know how to choose a web agency.
After all, the firm you select will be responsible for designing and developing your website, giving customers their first impression of your brand and organization.
Besides, as of 2022, there were over 26,900 web design companies in the U.S. Choosing one can be challenging.
So how do you determine which web agency to choose?
Here are tips for choosing a web design company.
2. Identify your website needs
Understanding Your Goals & Objectives:
- What is the primary purpose of your website? (e.g., sell products/services, generate leads, provide information, build brand awareness, create a community, personal blog/portfolio).
- Who is your target audience? (Consider demographics, interests, online behavior).
- What specific actions do you want visitors to take on your website? (e.g., make a purchase, fill out a contact form, download a resource, subscribe to a newsletter, request a quote).
- What are your key performance indicators (KPIs) for the website’s success? (e.g., conversion rates, traffic volume, engagement metrics, lead quality).
- Do you have any existing branding guidelines? (e.g., logo, color palette, fonts, brand voice).
- What is your overall vision and long-term goals for your online presence?
Defining Your Website’s Functionality & Features:
- What type of website do you need? (e.g., basic informational website, e-commerce store, blog, portfolio site, membership site, booking platform).
- What specific pages will your website need? (e.g., Homepage, About Us, Services/Products, Contact, Blog, Portfolio, Pricing, FAQ).
- Do you require any specific features or functionalities?
- Do you need any integrations with other tools or platforms? (e.g., CRM, email marketing software, analytics platforms, social media APIs).
Considering Technical Aspects & Content:
- Do you have existing website content (text, images, videos)? If not, who will be responsible for creating it?
- Do you have high-quality images and videos available?
- Do you have a domain name registered?
- Do you have hosting set up? (If not, will the designer assist with this?)
- What level of ongoing website maintenance and support will you require? (e.g., security updates, content updates, technical support).
- What are your expectations for website speed and performance?
- Do you have any specific security requirements?
- Is mobile responsiveness a must-have (it absolutely should be)?
- What are your initial thoughts on the website’s design and overall aesthetic? (Provide examples of websites you like or dislike).
Budget & Timeline:
- What is your budget for the website project? (Be realistic and understand that quality web design is an investment).
- What is your desired timeline for the website launch? (Be aware that complex projects take more time).
Knowing your needs will make choosing the right designer much more straightforward.
Some, like Slocum Studio, will ask for a creative brief and get your thoughts on paper. Get your copy below.
Looking to grow your brand online?
Reviews and Testimonials
Please read through the feedback from their past clients. Most established web agencies will have their past clients’ reviews and testimonials on their websites.
Consider hiring designers with a good rating and positive feedback. Positive feedback is an indication the previous clients were happy with the results. You can also visit Better Business Bureau to access unbiased feedback.
Check the Web Agencies’ Portfolios and Case Studies
Web designers list their previous work on their websites. Go through their work and see if what you are looking for is what they do.
Check the businesses they have worked with in the past. Look to identify at least one you might have heard of or know.
You want to see if you can trust the web agency to build trust in your website.
You can also check their clients’ websites. If you like what you see, you might consider working with them.
Case Studies
Please read through the case studies on their website.
If you are pleased with everything, it’s time to schedule a meeting with them.
The most important part of this phase is the discovery meeting. It’s a people business; you must feel comfortable working with them.
Web Agency Experience
How long have they been in business? A good judgment of a web design company is if they have been in business for at least eight years. A large share of small businesses are young businesses.
It’s common for web design agencies to specialize in specific areas.
They may not take on projects outside their specialization, so you may want to ask before investing much time in research.
SLOCUM STUDIO is a Trusted Partner for YMCA Website Design & Maintenance
At Slocum Studio, we understand that every organization has unique digital needs—whether you’re a single-location entity or a complex network like the YMCA. Our experienced web developers have a proven track record in maintaining and enhancing sophisticated websites, such as the six local YMCA sites we proudly support.
So, it might be best to work with an agency that has experience in more than one area of expertise. Examples include design, development, SEO, content curation, and marketing.
Familiarity with different businesses and their requirements will benefit you. Good agencies know what has worked in the past and what has not.
Depending on the nature of your business, the agency should be able to identify the strategies that will work best for you. Opt for an expert who is familiar with both local and global brands. This guarantees you exceptional services.
Looking to grow your brand online!
Web Designer Tools
Content Management Systems (CMS) refer to the platforms and technology the web design company uses to create and monitor your website. Many agencies use CMS like WordPress, which powers nearly 40% of websites online.
It is good to have a basic understanding of the tools each Web agency uses.
Look for an agency that emphasizes customization and UX design.
A good UX designer will guarantee that they can develop an excellent website. They will facilitate a great user experience.
Paying attention to responsive design is critical, so be sure to have the agency focus on that.
By 2025, more than 10 % of all retail sales in the United States will be generated via mobile commerce.
Project Management
You need to identify who to call and ask about the progress or report issues with your website project.
Some agencies employ project managers; whether a dedicated PM is needed depends on the size of your project.
A web designer or client support person may be all that is needed to keep your project on track.
These reliable experts use project management software to keep track of communication and files.
Establish early how quickly the web agency communicates with you. Are they slow to respond? Are they professional?
Your website design
A good website needs to reflect the latest design and technology trends. And scale across all devices.
You don’t want a dated website design when your clients expect a unique, fresh, updated one.
Most companies use what resonates with their clients – so should you. If you’re a high-end business, look for a high-end design company to meet your needs.
Your designer should be well-versed in responsive, SEO-friendly designs, mobile-optimized pages, and parallax scrolling. They should also be knowledgeable of tried-and-true techniques.
Website Budget
Know what you can afford.
Set a reasonable budget before getting estimates from different web design companies.
Have a plan and relay what you want. If you are vague, getting an accurate estimate won’t be easy.
Remember, having a website built is much like having a home built.
Not telling an agency what you can afford will not guarantee you a better deal in the build process. So, be upfront.
Agencies most often have professional designers and developers. They pay people to do the work, so they will price accordingly.
Like a home builder, they won’t add windows and doors unless you have the budget. The old adage is that you get what you pay for.
Getting a few estimates is probably a good idea; however, going with the cheapest isn’t always a good bet, so be careful when choosing.
Saving a few bucks can cost you big bucks later in lost sales due to poor design, SEO, or functionality.
Looking to grow your brand online!
Communication
Being an expert at what you do, you have an idea of how you want your business website to appear. You, therefore, need to work with someone who’s a good listener and communicator.
A person who is a good listener will understand your expectations.
A good web design company is there to offer their professional perspective and listen to your ideas.
You would be surprised how often clients tell us that someone built their website, but they don’t like it!
The takeaway is to speak up and ask if the agency or freelancer provides a creative brief.
Download Your Website Needs Checklist
Website-Project-Checklist-Hopefully, you will find someone who listens to your ideas and goals and works on perfecting them and implementing them.
Choose the Best Web Agency Today
There you have it! Valuable tips on how to choose the best web agency in the market.
This guideline will help you work with trustworthy and skilled web designers who can meet your web design needs.
Are you in South Boston, MA, looking for reliable web services? Contact us today to schedule a meeting.
Please tell me your thoughts on this blog post or your experience building your website.
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Finding the right web agency involves plenty of research, ranging from determining price ranges to, as you detailed here, project management capabilities. Great insight shared here!
Thanks for this article,As someone who recently went through this process for my own project, I can relate to the challenges you highlighted. I really wish I had come across this guide earlier—it would have made my decision-making so much smoother.