The process of purchasing a new business website is like buying a long-term suit that you will wear every day.
So, to avoid making any mistakes, we will list 9 questions you should ask your future web design company before starting a long-term relationship:
1. How do they value their services / What is their business model?
When you are buying a professional service, where a team of experts will be planning, designing, developing and managing your business models, the project can vary greatly, so make sure that before you start the relationship, both parties are happy with what is agreed. Not having a clear business model at the beginning can lead to a major project failure.
Key criteria here that should be considered:
How much time will they spend on your project?
Which of your team members will be working on the project and what are their qualifications?
Do they provide a fixed project price that matches a detailed agreement?
Is the project cost in line with agreed deliverables and hourly rates?
Is there a clear procedure for charging for extra resources or work outside the initial scope of the project?
Even the most experienced teams cannot make 100% clear predictions about the final outcome of the project, so make sure that everything (or almost everything) is covered from the beginning.
2. What is their background?
When money is not a problem, then the problem cannot be fixed so easily.
In the beginning, companies tend to hire architects mailing lists cheap contractors in order to save money in the short term, but a more important question than “how much will it cost?” is “how reliable is their company?” You want to be sure that you can trust the team to produce the best results for your project and that they can show you a return on your investment.
The main questions to ask are:
What types of clients have they worked with?
What kind of results have they delivered for these clients?
Do they have high-profile clients to prove their results?
Do they retain their clients and maintain ongoing working relationships with them?
By asking these questions, you can get to know the company and how they are dealing with their customers, which will give you an idea of how they will treat your company.
3. What are your main services?
An agency that has the capacity and skills to effectively approach and complete all aspects of your project, including design, development and marketing, will be better qualified to deliver the best solutions for your desired outcomes.
How do you check if this is the case with the web design company you are considering? By asking these questions:
Do they have the ability to provide comprehensive design, development and marketing services that are in line with industry standards?
Have they had experience with custom web projects that require complex problem-solving skills and advanced coding capabilities?
Are they able to develop mobile apps that are consistent with all of a brand's marketing platforms?
Do they have SEO experience and a proven track record of increasing search engine traffic? (If there is a marketing campaign)
4. What are your credentials or qualifications?
Make sure that the agency you are entrusting your company to is professional and respected in the market, just like your company is.
To check this, put the following question on your checklist:
Are they authorized to work for government agencies?
Do they have other special credentials that show other areas of expertise?
Have they developed any special applications or innovative projects?
5. How do they ensure that your project is executed correctly?
From coding standards to hiring an in-house team of professionals, make sure any guarantees given to you are put in writing.