Ok, so the time has come for you to have your website updated. The current one has probably been up for three or four years now and you haven’t heard from the old developer in months. Choosing a web designer to give your site a fresh new look can be a daunting task - but here are a few tips on making the process just that little less stressful.
Have a reasonable idea about what you want. Take time out and write a brief website requirements document. Include in it your business objectives; how your website fits with those goals; a list of your target audiences; what you want to get out of your website - whether it be sales leads, products sales or enquiries; and anything that must be included in terms of functionaily or look and feel.
Start your search. Probably one of the easiest ways to start the search for a new website designer is online. Take a particular interest in their Portfolio of work it will give you a good idea if they are the right company for your needs.
Questions you should be asking yourself include:
• Is their portfolio of work sympathetic to my business?
• Do I like their style of design?
• Do all their websites look the same?
Every designer is capable of producing one great website - but can they produce twenty great websites in succession?
Making an Approach. Use your Requirements document to approach two or three designers. The more you share the information in that document, the less misunderstanding there is going to be when it comes to a getting a quote or in the final build.
Can they help with other marketing material?Web designers will usually design your company logo but find out whether they can design your other marketing material as well, such as leaflets and letterheads.
Size Of The Company. Largely speaking, the size of the company provides you with no indication to the quality or work they can produce; or the services they can provide. There are a lot of freelance web designers who can produce far superior work to large companies, but there are also freelance web designers who charge much more than large companies. What you need to know is can they offer the support and technical expertise when you need them.
Skills, Qualifications and References. Whether the design company has appropriate skills will depend solely on your aims and objectives. So take another look at your Requirements document and be clear about what you really need. Do you require Flash animation, database design, client log-in areas or search engine optimisation? If so, make sure you check the designers have those skills.
Meeting deadlines. IT projects are notorious for running overtime and over budget so be clear about what needs to be achieved and when. Come to an agreement with your website designer and build it in to any contract you draw up.
Personality. Perhaps most importantly, make sure that you get on with your web designers! Many web design projects can last months or even years - so a high level of compatibility will ultimately make the process considerably more enjoyable for everyone. Take your time and find the website design firm that truly fits with your company and understands your needs.
Cost. Web design companies can have very different ways of charging. Some companies offer fixed pricing but because a lot of web design companies work on a bespoke basis - you may not necessarily see published prices. They should however, be able to provide you with a ball-park figure based on a technical and/or design brief.
At Sattom Media we’ve had years of experience of working with Hampshire clients, creating online spaces that our clients are proud of. Give one of the Sattom Media team a call on 01962 670155 or if you’re a little shy, feel free to email your website requirements to info@sattom.co.uk.
