Tips on choosing the best web design agency
When you first set out employing an agency to design and build your website, there are many factors which come into play. We have tried to come up with a few pointers on choosing a web design agency and some warning signs to look out for.
Like most industries there are varying levels of competency and skill and – like much of the IT industry – web design and especially web development is scattered with jargon. There are definite pitfalls and signals which you should take heed of and certain traits that should be expected and applauded.
Good web design agency traits
- The project management team can answer your questions clearly
- Jargon and technical detail are kept to minimum and non-technical explanations
- The agency are upfront and transparent about their costs (both project costs and any ongoing costs)
- The web design process is clearly explained
- Clear milestones are provided with regard to the overall web design and development process
- The agency can quickly produce examples of work which is relevant to your project
- Any third party technology or input (if any) to the project is made clear
- The ongoing website support process is explained
- Hosting requirements are considered and options are discussed
- Clear points of contact are established
Poor web design agency behaviour to look out for
- Points made by the agency are littered with technical details and jargon and don’t make sense to you
- There are elements of the approach which lock you into using the web design agency (such as hosting agreements)
- Questions are not answered sufficiently or are skirted over
- The agency’s approach and processes are not explained
- The agency mask costs in technical jargon and do not explain the reasoning for them sufficiently (this can be especially true with regards to Search Engine Optimisation – there another blog post in the making on that one)
- You get the sense that the agency don’t understand your requirements. Each project is different and a ‘boiler plate’ (one size fits all) approach by the agency will make them money but won’t produce a site inline with your expectations.
What you should ask a web design agency
- Ask for examples of previous work including demonstrations if required
- Ballpark figures (or hunches) are easy enough to give with small amounts of information. These can easily rule out (or in) whether an agency will fit your budget and save time on both accounts
- Find out what the company recommends with regard to content management platforms (if applicable) and search engine marketing (social media, web copywriting, web page optimisation)
- Ask about the level of web accessibility the agency adhere to by default
- Discover the processes the agency will follow
- How much contact does the agency need from you?
- Find out about the key project milestones and what they mean in relation to any proposed timescales
Summary
Most of us will end up working with people we like, but that won’t guarantee a successful project. You should never be afraid to ask a question, even if your questions seem trivial. Any agency worth their salt will take their time to explain their proposal and make sure you fully understand their processes and approach, without using over complicated technical jargon. Just like any other industry, you are employing experts, so you need to trust their judgement, but beforehand, they need to earn your trust.
