Whether the business is new or old, a well designed website is a must for any business owner who wants to grow their business and establish a solid presence in their field. A business website must do two things in order to find success. First of all, the website must be found. Secondly, the website must sell. The thing that turns visitors into customers is how engaging the web design is. For a lot of people, that’s intimidating. Maybe it’s time to bring on the pros, which means hiring a web design company.
Your site can be the first thing customers see. The website and your brand are part of the relationship you establish with customers. An easy-to-navigate site can turn a browser into a customer. Have the site reflect who you are and who your business is - not some generic company.
If your site can’t be found by potential customers, it doesn’t matter how pretty it is. Some companies take an approach where SEO and social and content are all part of a single process geared towards creating qualified leads for your company. Some call it a holistic strategy to get new customers and to sell more. Some call it an integrated marketing approach where all of their services are aligned under a single strategy. Others take a digital marketing and branding approach so that the website becomes like a virtual campaign for the company. Find out not just how the firm will make your website look, but how it will make it found.
Design Firms Can Offer
While web design is just one aspect of a business’s presence online, a web design company can do much more than just design and develop your website. The main product offered by a design firm is a website. However, beyond that, design firms can offer copywriting, content development, digital marketing, SEO and social media. They can offer branding and logo design, graphic design, hosting, security and maintenance to ensure the site functions safely, e-commerce development, mobile apps, video production to enhance a firm’s marketing, and some design firms do work that emphasizes brand awareness and customer loyalty, while others focus on visibility both online and offline. Think about your needs and if you want a single company to do everything, or if you just want a designer. Ultimately, the answer depends on what you’re looking for and what you need.
Good design firms will analyze your company carefully before they can decide which technology to put in place to assist your company’s needs. One firm that does this has a five step process that begins with meeting the client and defining the purpose of the company. Some companies have a team approach, with one person responsible for each specialty: design, hosting, copywriting, graphics, marketing. Some do the entire project in-house, for the purpose of consistent results. Some firms offer 24/7 service.
Some firms train their staff to stay in close touch with the client from the start to the finish, ensuring an end product that not only makes the client happy, but one that they’re eager to put to use. The site needs to be easy for the client (who’ll be maintaining it) as well as the site visitor. One firm’s motto is: “Big company capabilities, small company service.” Make sure the firm has the time to get to know your business before they sit down to design it. They should come up with a practical design solution that is tailored to be successful. It should be designed to reflect your company’s style, branding and message.
It’s common for design firms to use WordPress, but some will use Magento, Joomla, or another secure content management system. On WordPress, for example, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can be implemented with a plug-in such as Yoast. Some small business website design firms offer a modular approach to building a site so the site can evolve as the business evolves. I’m not trying to recommend one platform over any other. I just think it’s an important part of the conversation between a small business owner and their web design agency. Ask prospective website design firms what platform they build on and why. Listen to what they have to say, but remember that you don’t need to go with their recommendations.
One question to ask a web design firm is whether their designs are custom or based on templates. Some companies make no use of templates or formulas and instead, base their work off of the values and vision of the client. Several say that they take the customer by the hand, going through each step with them. Some say that they specialize in small to medium-sized businesses in their home county, while others have both local businesses and Fortune 100 companies as customers. Some cover a broad spectrum, from e-commerce to government to nonprofits. Some firms say that they were built by referral.
Like any good product or service, your website should be continually improved and updated. Remember, a website is not a one-time thing. It will need regular updating and maintenance. Talk with your agency to find out how they will help you manage it. Some website firms have worked with clients for years, and you should think of the website firm as a partner as much as a service. Some website firms build the website with return on investment (ROI) in mind, and you should think of the website as a kind of marketing campaign for your business.
Look at published rankings of local design firms. Some are based on reviews and expertise. Read the reviews, but also make your own judgment about expertise. Some firms work primarily with local businesses. Since they understand the online marketing needs of local businesses, they provide personalized solutions to tackle the specific challenges small businesses face. Be sure to ask questions. What services does the company provide? What is their process like? Do they build websites on a particular platform? Are websites custom or templates? What support does the company offer after launching the website? Don’t rush. The right company understands your business needs.
In the end, hiring a web design company comes down to needs and wants. How much work do you need done? How much do you want them to do? The choice is yours. Your best bet is to take the time and talk to multiple design companies until you find the right fit.
About Delancey Street
Delancey Street is a premier, and award winning, business debt settlement company that helps business owners nationwide. Our goal is simple: help you escape debt in a safe and legal manner. Based out of New York, we can help in 49 of 50 states. We tell you how it is; because your business and future is on the line.
